It's one of our region's dirty little secrets, and it's time more people start speaking up to demand action to help protect those among us who are most vulnerable -- and the majority of whom deserve our deepest respect.

The horror stories being whispered around Kivalliq communities on elder abuse are reaching epidemic proportions.

There are stories of elders being bullied in their own homes, having their bank accounts looted and cash stolen from them, being forced to look after kids on their own for days at a time when their health no longer permits them to do it well (and their hearts break because they know it), and who have everything from food, hunting and fishing gear, and household items "borrowed" from them and never returned.

And, at the risk of offending non-smokers everywhere, still others who have their tobacco and cigarettes taken from them, forcing them to put even more on charge accounts they cannot afford to begin with.

Even more heartbreaking is how much of the abuse is being perpetrated by people close to these elders, often their family members.

Small steps were taken in Rankin Inlet this past week with the formation of an elder's committee to address the abuse issue and other issues of concern to our eldest citizens.

Hopefully, the committee -- and those that follow in other communities -- will have a voice loud and strong enough to be heard by the powers that be.

Still it's maddening to know not only does this problem exist, but it's becoming more common every year in some communities.

So much money, time and effort is spent addressing so many other issues today -- many of which pale in comparison to the abuse of those who should be looked upon as our most valued citizens -- it's almost inconceivable a growing number of our elders are suffering while these deplorable acts continue, for the most part, to fly under the radar.

Starting legitimate elder committees and ensuring what they have to say is taken seriously is a good first step in addressing this heinous problem.

But elders can't do it alone.

It's imperative for our government, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., regional Inuit associations, law enforcement agencies and community leaders to put their collective weight behind them to produce any level of significant results.

Anyone can stand in front of a microphone or a TV camera and talk about how important elders are to our communities and, in fact, Inuit culture itself.

But sometimes talking and posturing for votes has to end, and action must begin.

Surely, if our elders are that important to us, and a growing number of them are suffering at the hands of others, our leaders can put their collective minds together and come up with a way to address the issue.

It's a sad commentary on our society when some among us choose to abuse and take advantage of those in our communities least able to defend themselves.

And it's even more sad when our leaders sit on the sidelines and do nothing more than talk about the problem, when they even acknowledge it at all.

Surely, we owe our elders more than words.

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