PRESS RELEASE
April 7, 2020 – Kuujjuaq, Nunavik – The major organizations in Nunavik have met to establish the Nunavik Leaders Group in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and have called out the Makivvik, as the recognized voice of Nunavik Inuit, with a crucial role to play by providing oversight over the handling of the outbreak in Nunavik, and by providing political leadership in uniting the region in this time of crisis. Therefore, the newly established group will provide a unified front to address issues faced by Nunavik Inuit, and make policy decisions, in close collaboration with the Nunavik Regional Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee, a technical group, comprised of non elected members of the Kativik Regional Government and the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services
Members of the Group are: Makivvik, Kativik Regional Government, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, and Kativik Ilisarniliriniq. The first meeting to establish the Nunavik Leaders Group was held Friday April 3, 2020 via teleconference. The presidents and Executives of the respective organizations were on the teleconference – Charlie Watt, Jennifer Munick, Elisapi Uitangak, and Robbie Watt respectively. The second meeting of the leaders groups was held today April 7 by teleconferencing to solidify the establishment of the Nunavik Leaders Group.
The Nunavik Leaders Group will meet via teleconference twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday. Additional meetings can be organized as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. The leaders group will remain active for as long as the members deem it necessary. It is foreseen that the group will remain to deal with any post-pandemic issues in Nunavik.
The mandate of the Nunavik Leaders Group (NLG) includes making decisions regarding the use of funding that will be made available to the region in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The NLG will coordinate communications in order to convey the same messages to the Nunavik population regarding the pandemic.
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Contact:
Carson Tagoona
Director of Communications
Makivvik
ctagoona@makivik.org
www.makivik.org
Makivvik is the land claims organization mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit of Nunavik provided for under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Makivvik’s role includes the administration and investment of these funds and the promotion of economic growth by providing assistance for the creation of Inuit-operated businesses in Nunavik. Makivvik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty, and education of Inuit in the communities.