Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

October 8, 2004

KRG chair defends food voucher hand-out

The Kativik Regional Government's launch of a portable food bank program will help some of Nunavik's poorest residents make ends meet, when it begins handing out $1.3 million in food vouchers this month.

Johnny Adams, KRG chair, defended the program against skeptics who have suggested to him that the food vouchers will create a culture of dependency, instead of motivating people to seek employment.

"We hear a lot about people having a hard time making ends meet with [social] assistance," Adams said. "Anything we can do to help, we will."

The program was kickstarted by the Katutjiniq economic association, an umbrella group of Nunavik groups, including Makivik Corp., which will chip in $300,000.

Adams said many details haven't been sorted out yet, such as how the vouchers will be distributed.

But he said the vouchers will help at least 1,350 residents, including elders and children, and won't necessarily target Nunavimmiut who are unemployed, or receiving social assistance.

"You don't necessarily need to be on welfare to need assistance," Adams said.

He added that the program, set to begin in mid-October, will not allow recipients to buy any junk food or cigarettes.

October 8, 2004

Journeymen grads in Inukjuak

Several residents in Inukjuak became the latest construction workers in Nunavik last month to complete training that's meant to give them equal pay for doing the same work as their southern counterparts.

The lack of journeymen construction workers has been a perennial problem during the region's short construction season, as employers claim they can't hire more Inuit for higher-paying positions, because they aren't trained to do the job.

As a result, many Inuit have been stuck with menial work, while professional workers had to be flown in from the South.

But now that's changing. In August, the Kativik School Board began training Nunavimmiut in construction safety, a move that allows them to register with Quebec's provincial construction authority. After that, workers can look forward to getting credit for their apprentice hours, and eventually getting higher-paying positions during the construction season.

The program, funded by the Kativik Regional Government, came after KRG representatives pledged to help at least 50 residents of Nunavik become journeyman plumbers, carpenters, electricians and heavy equipment operators by the year 2005. At the same time, KRG started pushing a subsidy program for prospective construction employers who hired Inuit.

There are currently no journeyman construction workers from Nunavik.

KRG staff expect to fund more training sessions in May, 2005.

October 8, 2004

Kativik trains by-law officers

Kativik Regional Government officials say Nunavik will be a safer, more peaceful place now that nine by-law officers have finished the region's first-ever localized training.

The course is an experiment in boosting local law enforcement in several communities around the region.

The newly-minted by-law officers come as part of pressure from last year's municipal elections, where several candidates said communities needed to increase their means of enforcing by-laws, especially related to dogs and dangerous driving.

"We have to make sure local by-laws are enforced," said Larry Watt, communications officer for the KRG.

KRG lawyers gave the 30-hour course, tailored to Nunavik issues, beginning Sept. 28. Watt declined to comment on which communities would benefit from the new by-law officers.

Nunavimmiut interested in becoming a by-law officer in Nunavik are encouraged to contact their local KRG employment officer.

October 1, 2004

Kangiqsujuaq school wins award

Arsaniq School in Kangiqsujuaq has won the regional Essor 2004 award for the northern Quebec region for its project called "Inuit culture abroad" or "Culture inuite en voyage."

The goal of this project was to encourage youth in the school to become acquainted with a variety artistic disciplines and to learn more about Inuit culture and traditions. About 70 students participated in workshops on carving, sewing, embroidery and crochet.

Students also learned about some southern art forms, such as masks, animation, drama and theatre.

Six students and two teachers were chosen to travel to southern Quebec and France. At the native cultural centre in Saint-Hilaire, they presented a short theatre piece inspired by an Inuit legend. They also displayed some of their art work. In France, at the Atrium of Chaville, a cultural centre, they discussed Inuit culture with a group of 300 students.

In recognition of its efforts, Arsaniq School receives a $1,000 scholarship from Hydro-Québec, a $1,000 from Quebec's education department and a Yamaha keyboard worth $500.

Through its win, the school also qualifies for the provincial competition. Results will be announced on Nov. 27.

The annual Essor competition honours efforts made to encourage arts and culture in Quebec schools.

TOP

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information