Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Gwich’in Tribal Council Announce a Pilot Project to hire Community Elders Workers
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) and the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) are pleased to announce they have received funding for a collaborative partnership to support Elders of any background in ISR and GSA communities.
Federal funding was provided for the IRC element of the program, while the Gwich’in element is funded by the Government of Northwest Territories. IRC Community Corporations will administer the program in the ISR, collaborating with GTC in both Inuvik and Aklavik. GTC will oversee the program in the remaining GSA communities.
Under the pilot program, new Community Elder Workers will be hired to provide practical, non-medical support for Elders in their own homes, assisting with unmet needs including snow removal, errands, ice hauling and tasks like chopping wood. They will also provide Elders with frequent check-ins to offset the negative impacts on wellness resulting from increased isolation caused by COVID regulations.
“This pilot will provide us with valuable data for our ongoing advocacy work with governments,” said GTC Chair Ken Kyikavichik. “Community Elder Workers will demonstrate what services are most valuable to Elders, helping us plan and make the case to government partners for increased services and future initiatives.”
“With fewer community gatherings during COVID, we know our Elders can use more support and more company,” said IRC Chair and CEO Duane Smith. “This is a chance to create job opportunities while taking care of Elders when they need it most. It is also an opportunity to enhance family bonds and promote Inuvialuit culture.”
Please check community Facebook pages and GTC and IRC websites for upcoming job postings. We encourage people to apply to be a part of this important initiative.