Vision and anti-poverty priorities identified for a poverty-free NWT
Yellowknife (July 3, 2012) – The groundwork for an NWT anti-poverty strategy and action plan was laid out last week at a roundtable in Hay River. The participants reached consensus on a draft vision and strategic priorities and started discussions on guiding principles and goals and objectives. Participants also agreed on a theme: Poverty-Free NWT.
“I am pleased with the progress we made over the three days,” said Gloria Iatridis, Chair of the Poverty-Free NWT Steering Committee. “It is especially encouraging that there was the commitment and time taken to develop common understandings about the many challenges and potential solutions.”The roundtable participants represent the GNWT, Aboriginal governments, municipal governments, labour and non-government organizations, and a person experiencing poverty.
“It’s exciting to be part of the process that is going to make a difference in people’s lives,” said steering committee member Christine King. “Since I am among the working poor, I’m grateful to know that there is an increased understanding among the group about the nature of poverty.”
“The strategy is a way to repair a tattered social safety net for the people who need it most,” said Bob Simpson, representing the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
The discussions last week were informed by the results of the 2011 What We Heard from Northerners about Poverty report, the No Place for Poverty workshop in 2010, poverty strategies developed in six provinces and Nunavut, and additional research information.
A second roundtable will be held in the fall to continue work on the strategy and action plan. Participants will be engaging communities in discussions about the draft strategy and action plan in the coming fall and winter. Those discussions will include conversations about community action plans.
The Hay River roundtable participants were:
Aggie Brockman, Alternatives North
Annemieke Mulders, Status of Women Council of the NWT
Betty Robinson, Hay River Soup Kitchen
Bob Simpson, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
Charles Jacobson, Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Christine King, Student, person who experiences living in poverty
Franklin Carpenter, NWT Housing Corporation
Garry Hubert, Yellowknife Side Door Youth Centre
Gloria Iatridis, GNWT – Education, Culture and Employment
Helen Balanoff, NWT Literacy Council
Ioan Astle, NWT Housing Corporation
John Colford, GNWT – Industry, Tourism and Investment
Jolene Saturnino, GNWT – Education, Culture and Employment
Julie Green, No Place for Poverty Alliance
Kathryn Walker, GNWT – Education, Culture and Employment
Kowesa Etitiq, Hamlet of Sachs Harbour
Lisa Cardinal, GNWT – Health and Social Services
Lois Little, Lutra
Lorraine Tordiff, GNWT – Municipal and Community Affairs
Margaret Thom, Deh Cho First Nation
MaryLou Cherwaty, Northwest Territories Federation of Labour
Mike Kalnay, GNWT – Executive
Rebecca Latour, GNWT – Justice
Richard Anthony, NWT Disabilities Council
Susan Ross, Gwich’in Tribal Council
Suzanne Desfosses, NWT Housing Corporation
Tina Gargan, NWT Association of Communities
Vishni Peeris, NWT Bureau of Statistics
Contact:
Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager | Public Affairs | Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca
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