KIVALLIQ INUIT ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES COVID-19 RESPONSE INITIATIVES
RANKIN INLET, NU – April 8, 2020 – The Kivalliq Inuit Association (KivIA) is pleased to announce the launch of COVID-19 prevention initiatives for its members. Initiatives include support for its Elders, traditional activities, and support to all its members within our communities. The funds for KivIA’s COVID-19 response plan come from the Indigenous Community Support Fund announced by the Federal Government on March 25, 2020. KivIA’s share of that fund is $4,341,223.
Inuit Elders Support Fund – the KivIA will provide enrolled elders 60 years of age and older living in the Kivalliq with a payment of $500. each month to off-set the increased costs associated with practicing physical distancing to avoid transmission of the COVID-19 virus. There is no need for elders to apply for this financial support; cheques will be sent directly to elders in mid-April, mid-May, and mid-June.
Traditional Activities Support Fund – Beneficiaries 18 years of age and older can apply for a one-time contribution per household to support traditional activities and physical distancing. Program areas include on the land activities, harvesting activities, and arts & crafts. Priority is given to applications that best demonstrate safety through self-isolation and physical distancing. Application forms are available on KivIA’s website or at the office of our Community Liaison Officer (CLO).
Community Essentials Aid Fund – Each community will be eligible for a financial contribution to support the continuation of their local radio station, snow removal on outlying community access roads. The KivIA will invest $1,150,000. To develop partnerships with existing local community agencies to provide hampers with basic food and cleaning supplies, prioritizing Inuit families most in need.
A contingency fund is in place and will be used for special circumstances and to provide additional relief as the public health emergency requires.
The Kivalliq Inuit Association is a “Designated Inuit Organization” (DIO), which represents the interests of all Inuit living in the Kivalliq Region, acts as a lobbying group, administers and monitors certain provisions of the Nunavut Final Agreement in the Kivalliq Region. The KivIA mission is to represent, in a fair and democratic manner, Inuit of the Kivalliq Region in the development, protection, administration and advancement of their rights and benefits as an aboriginal people; as well as to promote their economic, social, political and cultural well-being through succeeding generations.
More details about these initiatives can be found on our website kivalliqinuit.ca/documents or by emailing us at: info@kivalliqinuit.ca