NTI announces Mental Health Surge Capacity Funding

(December 1, 2020, Iqaluit, Nunavut)  Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) announces new supports   for activities that expand mental health services and support culturally safe adaptation of mental wellness services to the COVID-19 context. Community-based wellness hubs or non-profit organizations may apply for funding to undertake healing and wellness initiatives. Interested parties will be asked to provide a 1-2 page summary of the proposed program and a budget breakdown and estimation by Dec. 11, 2020.  The total amount of funding available is $550,000. Recognizing that Hamlets in Nunavut communities understand what the community assets, needs, and gaps are during these challenging times, NTI will provide $50, 000 for each Hamlet to support mental wellness initiatives in their communities for a territorial total of $1,250,000. Eligible activities may include:

• Provision of culturally appropriate programs and services to promote Inuit wellness and cultural teachings and the use of Inuktut;
• Provide community education and awareness of the nature of Inuit wellness;
• Develop and/or disseminate culturally sensitive resource materials;
• Develop and/or implement locally-driven life promotion plans in Inuit communities;
• Work in cooperation with community programs and resources;
• Promote networking of resources in or close to the community; and
• Increase community awareness and family violence prevention activities.

For more information on eligibility, funding applications and help, please contact: Julia Nauyuk Health Coordinator 867-222-4731 wellness@tunngavik.com NTI and the Regional Inuit Associations are working together to meet the needs of Nunavut Inuit with Mental Health Surge Capacity Funding from Indigenous Services Canada. NTI is committed to providing support for community-based wellness.

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For further information: Malaya Mikijuk Director of Communications Trainee Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Tel: (867) 975-4900/Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006
mmikijuk@tunngavik.com www.tunngavik.com Backgrounder NTI has received $6,012,000 in Mental Health Surge and Adaptation Funding which was allocated by the NTI Board as follows: Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.$1,803,600 Qikiqtani Inuit Association$1,839,763 Kivalliq Inuit Association$1,302,367 Kitikmeot Inuit Association$1,066,270 RIAs make their own allocations and announcements. On August 25, 2020 Minister Miller announced $82.5 million for surge capacity and the adaptation of existing mental wellness services to address COVID-19 related mental wellness needs and pressures in Indigenous communities. Funding must be used by March 31, 2021. In 2016 during the Atausiuqatigiingniq Inuursirmi United for Life Conference it was identified there is a need for more gatherings to provide opportunities for healing for those affected by loss in their communities. In response, NTI and the RIAs, with support from Ilisaqsivik Society delivered four Inuit-specific Regional Healing Gatherings: two in Clyde River, one in Arviat, and one in Taloyoak from 2017 to 2019. In planning for Regional Healing Gatherings, NTI and the RIAs identified five themes to guide our work:

1. Inuit Resilience
2. Working Through Trauma
3. Addictions
4. Reclaiming our Cultural Identity
5. Building Community Capacity

Regional Gatherings on community-based, Inuit healing programs is part of Inuusivut Anninaqtuq, the 2017-2022 Action Plan for the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) Partners.  The plan sets out the actions partners will take over the next five years to implement eight strategic commitments. NTI’s goal with the Mental Health Funding, is to continue focus on supporting community-based wellness that are Inuit-led and Inuit-specific.  

📄 NR 2020 12 01 Mental Health Surge Funding ENG