North of 60

Years of Arctic Connections

Our Project continues to provide food security to those living in the Arctic. Since 2010 the Society members in Edmonton and Calgary have been providing food, household items, beds and bedding, sewing machines and fabric as well as other items requested from members of the nine communities that we serve.

There was bad news for North of 60 this year. The 2024 river barge from Hay River to Tuktoyaktuk (double click the underline for link) was canceled when historically low water levels on the Mackenzie River made the river non-navigable. An unbudgeted $150,000 had to be spent to move the nine containers overland to the communities.

Without more donors’ support, the program’s very existence was threatened. You came to the rescue with the help that we needed. Because of your support we will find the way to continue.

The communities we serve are highlighted on the map at left.

This project is managed by a team of SSVP volunteers. There are no paid employees. Their role is to develop knowledge and most importantly long-term rapport. This allows the Vincentian to assure that they understand the needs of the community. The team members try to make community visits every few years. Team members also meet with residents of the northern communities while they are in Edmonton or Calgary for medical, work or leisure.

In addition to the food security provided by our North of 60 Project, we have been successful in working with three of the Communities on facility projects. Father’s House in Paulatuk, Men’s Shed in Tuktoyaktuk and Museum Project in Ulukhaktok. These projects strengthen the community’s ability to assist those in need.

We again are grateful to our corporate benefactors who made this project financially viable. The transportation logistics, food supply and household product donations continue to be strong as well as the dollar donations that many of you have made. Please continue to be generous. Our program will continue thanks to the support of so many.We are grateful to our corporate benefactors who make this project financially viable. The warehouse and transportation logistics, food supply and household product donations continue to be strong.

For stories and details, read or download the 2024 Annual Report below.

2024 Annual Report.pdf

A Video Tour

Join Peter Ouellette, from the Western Regional Council, as he describes the North of 60 Project and invites you to meet Michelle, Ruth Anne, Elizabeth, and David from the Northwest Territories and also Helen, Keith, Lu-Ann, and Dorothy from Nunavut. Take a few minutes to visit them, through this video. See their environment, learn about their works, and feel their gratitude.

Thank you for viewing and sharing this video!

To donate to the Western Region, North of 60 Project, so we can continue to send sea cans

to our friends in the North :

https://www.ssvpedmonton.ca/donations/financial-donations and specify

"North of 60"

in the Message for Saint Vincent de Paul Edmonton box

Food prices in communities north of the 60th parallel can be exorbitant and further enshrine communities in poverty, which is a major concern in the north. Over the years, as part of its mission, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) has developed an innovative approach of:

- reaching out and establishing contacts in remote communities north of the 60th parallel;

- identifying their needs;

- gathering non-perishables and other day-to-day household supplies and other articles required;

- arranging sea containers to deliver these gathered products.

As part of the SSVP North of 60 initiatives, there is the enablement of the creation of Food Banks and used clothing distribution centres; this enablement allows to:

- build skills and knowledge in the community;

- effect self-determination;

- cultivate community Leaders;

- bring sustainable social change.

This initiative assists with food safety and supports social integration, further working towards a people-driven, equitable and evolving North. This initiative also develops and supports communities for the benefit of children and youth, especially in the context of providing students some proper nutrition, and assist to improve student focus and ability to complete classroom tasks with more efficiency.

For more information please visit https://www.ssvp.ca/north-60

To donate to the Western Region, North of 60 Project, so we can continue to send sea cans

to our friends in the North :

https://www.ssvpedmonton.ca/donations/financial-donations and specify

"North of 60"

in the Message for Saint Vincent de Paul Edmonton box

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