Youth given greater voice in KRG

KUUJJUAQ – Nunavik’s youth association and the Kativik Regional Government vow to work together more closely in the future.

The Saputiit youth association and the KRG introduced their new partnership in a memorandum of understanding, tabled at the recent Kativik regional council meeting in Kuujjuaq.

In the MOU, the KRG agrees to work with Saputiit on youth issues, provide the association with an observer seat at council meetings and assist Saputiit with its responsibilities.

Saputiit, in turn, will be the KRG’s official youth commission and provide input on all issues of concern to young residents.

The two groups will meet at least once a year to discuss youth issues and the KRG will approve Saputiit’s activity report and financial statements.

But Saputiit keeps its autonomy and continues to independently represent youth regionally and provincially.

The MOU, which regional councillors approved, came into effect on Dec. 1 and will remain in force until Nov. 30, 2009.

Some councillors told Jonathan Epoo, president of Saputiit, that youth need to be more involved with the older members of their communities. Occasionally, youth have warned elders not to enter their youth centre because it’s only for young people.
“If we are going to have youth centres that follow the Inuit way of life, they need to correct this,” said Adamie Kalingo, the mayor of Ivujivik.