N.D.G is Unsafe for Inuit. Relocate Nunavik House.

I've just discovered a blog by an anonymous citizen who calls him/herself Concerned Inuk.. the focus of this blog is on the dangerous location of Nunavik House, the transit house for Nunavik Inuit visiting Montreal for Medical reasons.

I wholeheartedly agree with C.I.'s views. It is completely, absolutely unacceptable for Inuit elders, expectant mothers, young children and simply vulnerable, ill or injured people to have to live in such a neighborhood while they are down south for medical reasons. Not only are they exposed to gang violence (yes, gang violence, real, legitimate, genuine gang violence), an abundance of drugs, seedy bars and no-tell-motels, but the staff are known to be racist and insensitive to Inuit and their values, beliefs, opinions and needs.

Inuit girls have been raped in the area, people have been robbed, introduced to drugs like crack, cocaine and who knows what else. Gangs have even created contacts in order to sell drugs in the north, where they could sell it (whatever it may be) for 5times the street value. I myself was visiting a pregnant friend one time and on my way home, not only was i offered cocaine, but I was also harassed by some crackhead on a bicycle, not the most fun experience for a 17 year old girl walking alone. . (i was 17 at the time, and it was my first year on my own in the city).

These gangs prey on defenseless Inuit who are generally ignorant to the realities of southern life. Most people do not have good english skills, let alone french or Vietnamese (one of the major gang nationalities) which make them perfect targets. A lot of people are often too afraid to go to the police after such incidents because, a) language barriers, b) intimidation from gangs and c) just general intimidation of the legal system.

The same pregnant friend i was telling you about earlier told me that during her time at Nunavik House, she couldnt walk down the street without someone offering to sell her 'Aputik' (the inuttitut interpretation of cocaine). She was 9 months pregnant. Who offers a gigantic pregnant woman cocaine? What kind of sick, deranged people are we exposing the most vulnerable segment of our population to? It's absolutely unacceptable.

If you agree with me, I ask that you sign this petition N.D.G is Unsafe For Inuit. Relocate Nunavik House.