A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, Beth Kotierk

As we reach the end of another year at Qajuqturvik, the phrase “the more things change, the more they stay the same” comes to mind. This is, sadly, true for food insecurity in Nunavut. This thought is at the forefront of my mind as I look back at the past year for QCFC. What’s changed this year is the number of Nunavummiut who access our services, which has steadily been increasing overall since QCFC first opened its doors. This year, that includes twice the demand for both our Piruqtuviniit (produce) and Inuliqtait (country food) Food Boxes from the previous year. That increase in demand for food access mirrors an increase for similar services across the country. What remains the same is the staggering rates of food insecurity in Nunavut, which tops 70 per cent for Inuit over 15years old. What also remains the same is the lack of long-term funding that supports food sovereignty in Nunavut, rather than band aid solutions to address food insecurity. We have also seen the QCFC staff work tirelessly again this year to deliver our programs. Our flagship program remains our daily food service, which saw over 66,000 meals served for a second year in a row. The organization also made a number of moves to protect our staff from the notorious burnout that plagues many non-profits. That includes moving to a co‑leadership model at the executive director level. The organization has also set the stage to launch Iqaluit’s first bulk and country food store in the next year. This store will further relieve strain from our staff, as it will provide access to healthy and culturally appropriate food options outside of our existing programs, which are running at maximum capacity. Significant increase in funding this year has allowed us to expand our programs and build a more secure organizational foundation for years to come. We will continue to work closely with partners and funders to ensure these programs serve the community. And we will continue to advocate for long‑term solutions to address food sovereignty, which is crucial if reconciliation with Inuit in Nunavut is to be truly successful. Finally, we will continue to educate and collaborate with government leaders about the intersections of food insecurity and the myriad of other identities that our clients represent.

Beth Kotierk
Board President