Kakivak Renews COVID-19 Business Relief Program with Support from QIA

Press Release

Iqaluit, Nunavut – May 11, 2021 – With support from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), Kakivak Association has renewed the Qikiqtani Covid-19 Business Relief Program. An additional $500,000 has been approved to renew this program, now totalling $1 million to support some of the smallest, most vulnerable Inuit-owned businesses in the Qikiqtani Region.

“Small Inuit-owned businesses are the backbone of our local economy in the Qikiqtani Region,” says QIA President, P.J. Akeeagok. ”We have to leverage our resources to help them survive and continue to employ Inuit during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are proud to support Inuit-Owned small businesses that provide employment and services in Qikiqtani communities.”

“The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a negative impact on Inuit-owned businesses for over a year now and now with the virus present in our region they need our support more than ever,” says Jeremy Tunraluk, Chair, Kakivak Association, “I am pleased that we are able to utilize funds that are under Inuit control to help Inuit-owned businesses.”

The Qikiqtani COVID-19 Business Relief Program will provide non-repayable contributions of up to $25,000 for each eligible applicant.

To be considered for support applicants must be able to demonstrate the need for assistance by providing details on the current status of their business as well as information about the normal fixed operating costs of their business, such as:

• Rent
• Heat
• Electricity
• Communications
• Licenses and insurance

Each applicant must submit the completed application forms as well as the required supporting documentation.

The funding for the Qikiqtani COVID-19 Business Relief Program comes from a reserve of unspent Sivummut Funds transferred to Kakivak by QIA.

The application forms and program guidelines are available at:

• www.kakivak.ca/Covid19_Business_Relief_Program_Program Guidelines_2021-22_english.pdf
• www.kakivak.ca/Covid19_Business_Relief_Program_Program Guidelines_2021-22_inuktitut.pdf
• www.kakivak.ca/Covid19_Business_Relief_Program_Application_April_June_2021_english.pdf
• www.kakivak.ca/Covid19_Business_Relief_Program_Application_April_June_2021_inuktitut.pdf

The Qikiqtani COVID-19 Business Relief Program www.kakivak.ca

For more information, please contact:

Will Hopkins,
Acting Director of Communications,
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
whopkins@qia.ca
867.975.8413/1.800.667.2742

Glenn Cousins,
Manager, Partnerships & Planning
Kakivak Association
gcousins@kakivak.ca
867.222-1528/1.800.561.0911

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