Iqaluit, Nunavut – November 17, 2020. The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is pleased to announce we will be providing over $1.8 million to community non-profits and hamlets to help with mental wellness initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding will be used to support the Ilisaqsivik Society, the YWCA Agvik, the Uqutaq Society, the Tukisigiarvik Society, Qikiqtani Hamlet recreation departments as well as the Qikiqtani Family Support Initiative.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a strain on the mental wellbeing of Inuit,” says QIA President P.J. Akeeagok, “these funds will assist non-profits and hamlets to deliver programs that can help Inuit better cope with the stress of the pandemic.”

Ilisaqsivik Society: $517,000

QIA will partner with Ilisaqsivik to increase Inuit-led mental health and wellness capacity in the Qikiqtani Region.  This will include things such as:

• Enabling COVID-19 specific community outreach and education
• Preparing social supports for those asked to self-isolate due to COVID-19
• Providing immediate training for Inuit community counsellors in information technology and Mental Health
• Adapting Ilisaqsivik programming to support more virtual and remote counselling

The YWCA Agvik: $182,000

The QIA financial support will enable programming such as:

• A sewing program for women in the shelter
• Hosting storytelling and traditional games
• Staff support for issues related to COVID restrictions and shutdowns

Uqutaq Society: $237,000

The QIA financial support will bolster programming and training such as:

• On-the-land programs
• Counselling services
• Mental health training

Tukisigiarvik Society: $62,000

The QIA financial support will assist with programs such as:

• A cabin building program
• A kamik making program

Qikiqtani Hamlet recreation departments: $425,000

• QIA is working with Qikiqtani Hamlet recreation departments on funding for youth mental wellness programming over the next few months.

Qikiqtani Family Support Initiative: $415,000

• QIA announced the Qikiqtani Family Support Initiative on November 4, 2020
• $415,000 was used to expand the Qikiqtani Family Support Initiative

On August 25, 2020, Minister Miller announced $82.5 million for surge capacity and the adaptation of existing mental wellness services to address COVID-19 related mental wellness needs and pressures in Indigenous communities. QIA’s share of the COVID-19 Mental Health Surge Funding is $1,839,763.

For more information, please contact:

Sima Sahar Zerehi,

Director of Communications,

Qikiqtani Inuit Association

szerehi@qia.ca

867.975.8413

1.800.667.2742