Like many communities in Nunavut, Pangnirtung has been a beneficiary of the Inuit Child First Initiative, which is linked with Jordan's Principle.

The program saw around $5.4 million go into providing food vouchers for families of each Inuit child worth $500 a month, plus an extra $250 a month for children under the age of three, to obtain nutritious food.

According to a report commissioned by the hamlet, since the program began in January 2024, almost everyone who received benefits under the program indicated that they have been able to feed their children healthier options.

Food insecurity in the community had effects on children beyond simple nutrition, added the report, resulting in increased incidents of petty food theft crimes in the community and other behavioural issues. Children in the community were also very dependent on accessing lunch and other school-based food programs.

After the implementation of the program, there was a marked improvement in behaviour with theft declining and 鈥渁 general sense of pride and relief at being able to regularly purchase things like fresh fruit,鈥� according to the report.

Pangnirtung Mayor Lynn Meeka Mike said Jordan鈥檚 Principle is the one initiative she is most proud of during her time in charge.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 something that鈥檚 very helpful to children," she said. "The [Jordan鈥檚 Principle] food program is making a lot of difference because [it helps maintain] a healthy lifestyle. [Parents] only allowed to purchase healthy food, and that鈥檚 making a big difference.鈥�

To help parents make the right choices, the federal government released guidelines which outlined the restrictions of the vouchers; fast foods, junk foods, and highly processed items were not allowed to be bought. A public awareness campaign was also launched in the community using community radio and social media.

After purchasing food, parents and guardians were required to submit all receipts along with their names to the program co-ordinator, who would check over the items and deduct any amount of non-approved items from the next voucher allotment for that household.

The loss of the program, according to Jack Hicks, the hamlet's SAO, would be a huge impact on all communities.

"Right across Canada actually, not just Nunavut, as far as I know," he said.

But there was no guarantee of the program continuing. The funding had previously been due to run out the end of this month, with the program lost in bureaucratic limbo with the prorogation of Parliament. The Arctic Children and Youth Foundation declared the potential of a 鈥渉umanitarian crisis鈥� if the funding was not renewed.

On March 10, however, Nunavut MP Lori Idlout released a statement announcing that a renewal of funding for the Inuit Child First Initiative had been secured for one more year.

鈥淣unavummiut showed their strength by coming together. They collected their voice and ensured a win for Inuit children and families,鈥� said Idlout. 鈥淗amlet mayors, councillors, and the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation, just to name a few, used their power to advocate for Nunavummiut. The Liberals and Ministers Patty Hajdu and Gary Anandasangaree left the community hanging for months by refusing to answer, instead pointing fingers and politicizing childhood poverty. It was the community that came together and advocated for Inuit children and families."