Elected officials in Pond Inlet are rallying once again for an Elders facility in the High Arctic hamlet, after Rankin Inlet recently opened its own long-term care home.
Tununiq MLA Karen Nutarak once again called for such a facility in her constituency in the legislature on May 28, a request she and Pond Inlet Mayor Joshua Arreak have been making for the past five years.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the funding that is the problem,SA国际影视传媒� Arreak told Nunavut News.
More than 100 people over age 70 live in Pond Inlet, Arreak said, highlighting the need for a regional Elders facility.
SA国际影视传媒淲e would need it soon, maybe in two or three years,SA国际影视传媒� the mayor said.
Arreak said the Elders home would require a new building, putting further pressure on the timeline.
Elders need a permanent home thatSA国际影视传媒檚 easily accessible where theySA国际影视传媒檙e guaranteed safety in their advanced age, Arreak explained.
SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes they have problems with their extended family, this would put them in a safe, secure place,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
The hamlet already acts as a hub for four communities less than an hour away by plane, Arreak said, where Elders could travel from for a future facility.
But Health Minister John Main responded to MLA Nutarak that Pond Inlet would have to lobby for an Elders home.
SA国际影视传媒淚t could involve a combination of municipal, territorial as well as Inuit organization lobbying. And thatSA国际影视传媒檚 in terms of looking at future facilities, obviously not something ISA国际影视传媒檓 in a position to commit to today,SA国际影视传媒� Main told his colleagues in the legislative assembly in late May.
According to Arreak, the hamlet hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 engaged in any advocacy other than going through its MLA.
SA国际影视传媒淚f we need to lobby, we are prepared to lobby,SA国际影视传媒� Arreak said.
Nutarak added that it would take two years to build an Elders facility in Pond Inlet. Based on meetings she's held on the matter, her understanding is that Pond Inlet Elders would be sent to Rankin Inlet if no facility is built in Pond Inlet.
Nunavut now has six Elder facilities with the addition of Rankin InletSA国际影视传媒檚 long-term care home.
