Former MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu and territorial health minister Pat Angnakak is running under the Liberal banner for the upcoming federal election on Sept. 20. She is seeking to turn the seat back to red following Mumilaaq QaqqaqSA国际影视传媒檚 win for the NDP in 2019.

Among her priorities if elected are housing, mental health, senior care and food security.

SA国际影视传媒淚 thought this was a great transition for me, to become an MP. I want to continue to be a voice for Nunavummiut and I know I can do it at the MP level,SA国际影视传媒� she said, explaining why she decided to run.

As to why she chose the Liberals, she cites continued federal investments toward Nunavut despite not having a seat at the table, such as IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 deep-sea port.

SA国际影视传媒淥ver the last few years, Nunavut has not had a voice at that table and still the Liberal governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 eye was on Nunavut.SA国际影视传媒�

Housing

The biggest matter on AngnakakSA国际影视传媒檚 plate, she says, is largely housing. A matter which has received quite a bit of attention from Liberal leadership.

On Aug. 30, during a very brief visit to Iqaluit, Liberal leader and prime minister Justin Trudeau announced a $360 million housing investment for Nunavut as part of a national $2-billion commitment towards Indigenous housing in Canada.

When it comes to her overall approach to housing, working with other Nunavut groups is one path forward.

SA国际影视传媒淚 have some ideas on how we can approach this, I really do believe that partnerships are the way to go. We have more than 3,000 units that are needed,SA国际影视传媒� Angnakak said.

She also hopes to develop a strategy alongside the government of Nunavut and regional Inuit Organizations. Angnakak sees it as a problem for all Nunavummiut which should be addressed by Nunavummiut.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think everybodySA国际影视传媒檚 priority in Nunavut is housing, it affects everybody very personally. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 something that needs to be addressed.SA国际影视传媒�

Mental health, Nutrition North and senior care

Another matter she hopes to address if elected is mental health supports in Nunavut.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone knows in Nunavut that we have a lot of people that require help and they have no place to go.SA国际影视传媒�

SheSA国际影视传媒檇 like to see a more local approach outside of Iqaluit alongside the new Nunavut Recovery Centre, Angnakak says, with wellness hubs at the community level.

Better access to healthcare is also going to be one of AngnakakSA国际影视传媒檚 priorities, particularly when it comes to expanded home care service for seniors and even more so for those who have dementia, SA国际影视传媒渨here our Elders with dementia can be cared for in Nunavut and not be sent away.SA国际影视传媒�

AngnakakSA国际影视传媒檚 plan for food security includes expanded school food programs with more community involvement.

SA国际影视传媒淭his needs to be done in conjunction with the community. It would be great to get parents involved with feeding their own children at the school,SA国际影视传媒� said Angnakak.

She also wants to see Nutrition North overhauled, to find out how it can work better for Nunavummiut.

Residential schools

This summer, starting in Kamloops on May 20, ongoing searches continue to locate bodies of children at former residential school grounds all over the country.

SA国际影视传媒淚 really feel deeply for people who are going through that, for people who lost loved ones and didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know where they were,SA国际影视传媒� Angnakak said.

Angnakak says she believes further investigation is needed, but also discussion on where to go from here and what the path to healing looks like.