November 19, 1998

NTI delegates ponder executive term extensions

NTI bosses issue standard-issue pleas for unity as they put forward a bylaw amendment that will extend their terms of office for nine months.

DWANE WILKIN
Nunatsiaq News

CAMBRIDGE BAY — Anxiety over the whereabouts of an elder lost on a hunting trip since last Thursday cast a pall over the opening day of Nunavut Tunngavik's fifth annual general meeting this week in Cambridge Bay.

Local Rangers and volunteer search-and-rescue workers were still looking for David Kaomayok on Tuesday morning, as Inuit delegates from across Nunavut assembled at the Luke Novolingak community centre for the last NTI annual general meeting before division.

Prayers for Kaomayok's well-being were offered and spirits were soothed by the songs and dances of the local performance group, the Inuvialuit drummers and dancers from Cambridge Bay.

Early in the afternoon, a round of applause went up when news came that Kaomayok had been found safe and sound.

In his opening remarks, NTI President Jose Kusugak reminded delegates of the significance of this year's gathering, and the contribution that Inuit have made, in particular, toward the reshaping of the North's political and geographical future.

"It was Inuit who performed with unity who allowed division to happen. I hope we'll keep that in mind," Kusugak said.

With the birth of Canada's third territory just a few short months away, Kusugak likened the result of the past two decades of work toward self-government to the parallel runners on a well-made qamutik: Nunavut the land claim, and Nunavut the territory.

But the work will continue long past the celebrations, the Inuit leader said, especially to ensure that Inuit cultural values are firmly entrenched in the workings of the Nunavut government.

With the imminent departure of NTI's executive director Alex Campbell and the continuing transfer of headquarters' positions to Nunavut from Ottawa, both Kusugak and secretary-treasurer Benadette Tungilik mused on the need to restructure the organization internally, possibly splitting the executive director's job in two, with offices in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet.

A proposed amendment to the Inuit birthright corporation's bylaws was also scheduled to be debated later this week that would delay the timing of NTI's next Nunavut-wide executive elections.

Under that amendment, the terms of the president and first vice president would be extended for nine months.

That means that instead of running for election in March of 1999, Kusugak and first vice president James Eetoolook would hang on to their jobs until the fall of 1999, when an election would finally be held.

People elected in that vote would then serve for four years, not three.

As well, the second vice president and the secretary treasurer's terms will also be extended for nine months.

Eventually, the second vice president's job, now held by Raymond Ningeocheak, will be eliminated.

In defence of the amendment, Kusagak emphasized the importance of April 1, and the need to ensure that Inuit candidates are well represented in the first territorial administration.

It's believed that several of NTI's community representatives themselves are thinking about running.

"There are political issues we have to deal with so that we can have a good government. Let's put aside our differences and share our knowledge," Kusugak appealed.

Proposed bylaw amendments clearing the way for postponing the NTI elections were to be debated on Thursday.

"It's necessary for us all to let this process begin naturally," Kusugak said. "I think it's appropriate that we shouldn't get in their way."

James Eetolook, NTI's first vice-president, said he looks forward to a Nunavut government that will meet the challenge of preserving Inuit language and culture, and safeguarding the environment.

Eetolook reported that with the recent creation of the Nunavut Marine Council, Inuit will also soon be in a position to manage the offshore issues.

Meeting organizers captured the pre-division excitement of delegates in a simple slogan – "We have arrived (Koanakut bagutiyut)," which was the official theme of this year's conference.