Five vans for Nunavut communities are among 89 action items that the Government of Nunavut has identified in drafted Nunavut Elders and Seniors Strategy legislation.
“We will provide Elders’ vans for communities in a phased approach, beginning with five. The vans will allow Elders to get to important appointments and to conduct day to day tasks such as buying groceries. The first vans will be in communities this sealift season,” Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced in the legislative assembly on March 7.
There was no mention in the premier’s statement as to which communities would be the first to get the vans.
Referring to the overall strategy, Akeeagok stated, “When it comes to our Elders, time is running out. That sense of urgency is something that our government has heard loud and clear from Elders. We need to act now to make their lives better. It was with this urgency in mind that our government took on the work of developing an Elder and Seniors Strategy that addresses the needs of aging Nunavummiut.”
This is a part of the Katujjiluta mandate, which addresses aging with dignity.
Akeeagok recognized input from 73 Elders from Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet, Iqaluit and Ottawa, as well as the insights from MLAs Mary Killiktee and Joanna Quassa.
“Most of our departments and territorial corporations will have a role in implementing these action items, with the goal of serving our Elders,” the premier said. “We were committed to ensuring this strategy be grounded in broad community perspectives, in addition to being based on Elders’ real lived experiences, needs and hopes. I have full confidence that the outcomes will speak for themselves.”