Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada Respond to CBC Report About the Health of Young Inuit Children

OTTAWA, July 18 – The CBC yesterday covered the Canadian Medical Association Journal article entitled Links Between Poor Indoor Air and Respiratory Infections in Inuit Children. This article contains startling statistics and the correlation between the appalling overcrowded housing and the health of Inuit children. The statistics are surprising for most, but nothing new to Pauktuutit President Martha Greig, “Pauktuutit staff has been describing over and over for the past twenty years the appalling conditions for Inuit and have made presentations and statements similar to those of the Canadian Medical Association Journal for the past ten years. We’ve even laid out exactly what’s needed to relieve some of the conditions.”

Martha Greig is referring to Pauktuutit publications and presentations to Government of Canada Committees, including to the Lieutenant General the Honorable Romeo Dallaire, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the University of Guelph.

“What’s needed to relieve some of the poor housing conditions includes an Inuit-specific housing policy, secure, adequate and long-term housing funding, and the development of housing policies and programs that consider the priority needs of arctic communities.”

There are fundamental principles that need to be applied in actions taken concerning the housing crisis. Inuit representatives should be included as active partners of the policy making process, including local housing associations; appropriate community representatives must be fully engaged by policy and decision-makers, housing programs must include enhanced opportunities for Inuit women to build personal and community equity, and policies and decisions affecting housing must not victimize people seeking assistance or safety.

“Commitment to reducing the housing crisis must be strategic, financially realistic and also practical and results based.” states Jennifer Dickson, Executive Director of Pauktuutit. Pauktuutit has been working and will continue to work on reducing the housing crisis and all the factors that stem from the housing crisis, including health issues and abuse prevention.

Pauktuutit’s priorities are reflected in the National Inuit Women’s Action plan, Keepers of the Light. The plan outlines Pauktuutit’s vision for a strengthened partnership between Canadian Inuit women and the Government of Canada. It stands on its own as the substantive and comprehensive perspective of the autonomous national voice of Inuit women. The matters it raises are urgent and have daily consequences in the lives of Inuit women and our families.

Pauktuutit identifies three priority policy areas that require immediate attention: equity and empowerment; health and safety and strengthening Inuit families Inuit children and youth. These broad themes are to be taken as a whole, to inform all programs and services that are developed by, for, and with Inuit.

For further information: Jennifer Dickson, Executive Director, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, (613) 238-3977, ext 226, jdickson@pauktuutit.ca