Sending my love to strangers in Iqaluit

So awhile back I introduced you to a project I was working on in getting food from Toronto to the homeless in Iqaluit, Nunavut. For those who might not know, Iqaluit is a remote northern capital city in Nunavut Canada. With a population of just over 7,500 people it's a community with plenty of struggles. As with most of Canadian arctic communities, the cost of living is outrageous since everything has to be flown in or brought in during the summer on sea lifts. The government of Canada has let our Inuit down over and over and continues to do so. Most people don't realize or acknowledge the systemic discrimination that continues to happen in these communities where jobs are given to southerners to work in government roles which leaves most of the local Inuit unemployed. The price of groceries at the very few stores are unattainable and the government turns a blind eye to their calls for help!

I can go on all day about the stories of crisis my friend shares with me but this post was supposed to be a cheerful one.

Last week I was able to arrange for a little bit of holiday joy to be sent up to the Iqaluit's most vulnerable. I had gathered donations from family and friends in hopes to buy gift cards from "NorthMart", their local everything store. I raised $300 and the store manager agreed to donate an extra $100. So, I was able to purchase x40 $10 gift cards over the phone and had my friend Qaumariaq pick them up! I had also sent him 2 envelopes with 40 greeting cards to put them in to hand out! These are also good at the only Tim Horton's in Nunavut which makes me happy to know that they can walk in and get a warm cup of coffee or bowl of soup over the holidays.

Today "Santa-Q" (which I honorably call him) set out to begin handing them out on the streets. Some of these people find shelter in unimaginable conditions. Old shacks, old boats and even tents! Imagine sleeping in a tent in -30 degree temperatures. Most stay outside of the city on the shorelines where my friend has to hike to with his sleigh, flashlight and armed with his rifle case of polar bears or wolves since he doesn't own a vehicle or snowmobile of his own. He is the communities hero advocating for those who the government ignores. Iqaluit's only homeless shelter is way over stayed with an average of 30-39 men sleeping between 2 rooms. On couches, chairs and even on the floor. It is unacceptable and Q is helping them find their voice.

This is not about handing out gifts but about sending some hope and love and best wishes to people who may feel like nobody cares. I want them to know that someone cares and that they matter. There is so much more to this story and I hope to find time to tell it in the near future but for now, please pass it on and share a smile, hold a door, say Hello and acknowledge that you never know who might need a little hope. ❤️

Lori ✌️