Helpline for Inuit in Winnipeg ending as resources wear thin

Angoo said that the service is important to provide culturally relevant support to Inuit in the city and she says that as a tight-knit community, Inuit in Winnipeg always help each other out.

She says the helpline has been a point of contact for Inuit looking for missing loved-ones, for those who need support with logistics sending a body home or sometimes someone just saying they’re hungry or need a place to go.

“And we just, you know, we’re Googling places where they can go or if someone’s close by, we can, you know, bring a little bit of food,” Angoo said.

“I’ve answered phone calls where someone is stranded with their children an hour away, in the night time. I’ve often had to drive out myself, not knowing the full scope of the situation.”

As the helpline winds down, Tunngasugit will be directing callers to 911 if they’re in an emergency situation or 211 for support in accessing things like places to eat for free or somewhere to take a shower.

In an emailed statement, Indigenous Services Canada — the federal department that administers the Inuit Child First Initiative — said it’s been in contact with Tunngasugit about their funding requests.

ISC made changes to how the funding is distributed earlier this year with requests for the money now reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

A spokesperson for the department wrote that ISC is dedicated to developing the initiative alongside Inuit partners going forward.

Angoo said she hopes the program can be renewed in the future but that they would need more funding to hire staff. For now, she said, they are focused on what they can offer and doing their best to support Inuit in Winnipeg.

“We are understaffed, we’re overworked, and we’re doing our best with the things that we have to help, to help all of our community members that walk through the doors.”