It's been a year, to put it lightly. Most of the country, if not the world, are weary from the chronic uncertainty that has been the most palpable feature of the pandemic for many of us. After a winter lockdown we thought we were in the clear by January, only to have a local outbreak in April.
For many in our communities, this experience is far from a minor annoyance. Temporary layoffs, limited services, and school closures have all placed a heavier burden on lower-income households. During this outbreak we focused on our Community Meal and Healthy Food Box programs, and demand surged. When a grocery voucher distribution program was launched by Qikiqtani Inuit Association, demand fell drastically—once again emphasizing the importance of income-based solutions to food insecurity.
Beyond the pandemic, recent news continue to highlight the challenges faced by Indigenous and racialized Canadians. The ongoing discoveries of child victims of the residential school system is a stark reminder that colonialism is ever-present, and the terrorist attack in London once again brings our nation's Islamophobia into focus. This is Canada, and rather than chalk this up to history or individual prejudice, the first step in addressing the severe inequities in our society is to recognize white supremacy as a national crisis.
We realize that words are not enough, and as a step forward we are establishing an Anti-Oppression Committee in an effort to ensure our policies, activities, and decisions work to acknowledge and levy our power against the legacy of colonialism that is ever present in Canada's institutions. Participation is open to any members, and if you are interested in being involved please complete this form.
As restrictions are slowly being lifted we cautiously prepare for a renewal of in-person programming. Our Peer Advocacy services have resumed, and in the coming months we will relaunch our Kids' Cooking Club, Women's Group, and a completely revamped Training Program. In August our kitchen will undergo substantial renovations thanks to the support of CanNor and NCC Development Limited.
In the meantime we are working on a few big projects. With funding from Community Foundations of Canada, we are working with MaRS Centre for Impact Investing to explore a social financing model for salaried hunters in Nunavut. In collaboration with other organizations, this spring we created the Nunavut Association of Non-Profit Organizations to better support and connect with NPOs in the territory (if you represent one such NPO, apply to become a member). And as this is likely to be not just a territorial but also a federal election year, we are looking forward to many lively discussions with political hopefuls.
We hope that everyone will enjoy the summer months and be invigorated for a return to a relatively normal, fulfilling fall.
