The heavily indebted Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association is in disarray, if not unofficially defunct.

The non-profit organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 office in Iqaluit recently closed. Its telephone number is no longer in service.

A board member, speaking off the record, said there hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been a board meeting since prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and no information has been circulated to board members during that entire period.

Board chair Jesse Tungilik couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be reached for comment.

The Department of Economic Development and Transportation (EDT), which used to provide $550,000 in core funding to the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association (NACA), isnSA国际影视传媒檛 giving any money to NACA from the 2021-22 budget, nor did it in 2020-21.

Asked for insight on NACASA国际影视传媒檚 status, the GN department stated: SA国际影视传媒淓DT has not been made aware of a change in NACASA国际影视传媒檚 legal status as an organization. EDT has been informed that NACA is no longer maintaining an administrative office in Iqaluit.SA国际影视传媒�

The department added that itSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渁ssessing NACASA国际影视传媒檚 situation and exploring options to move forward.SA国际影视传媒�

Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster, who served as NACASA国际影视传媒檚 executive director for close to two years until last September, said she discovered SA国际影视传媒渟ignificant debtSA国际影视传媒� that the organization had run up in the past. Although she said she couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 go into detail publicly for confidentiality reasons, she disclosed that there was enough money owing that it impacted day-to-day operations and SA国际影视传媒渢he ability to stay afloat.SA国际影视传媒�

She briefed EDT about NACASA国际影视传媒檚 difficulties prior to her departure, and that included SA国际影视传媒済overnance issues,SA国际影视传媒� which is a similar challenge that many organizations face across the territory, she said. She referred to it as a SA国际影视传媒渟ystemic issue,SA国际影视传媒� not something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the fault of any individual. But a lack of oversight from the territorial government played a role, she contended.

Covid-19 was another major factor in NACASA国际影视传媒檚 decline, she suggested, as the lockdowns made it even more difficult to SA国际影视传媒渞ally board members.SA国际影视传媒�

NACA was formed in October 1998 to promote and work on behalf of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 visual artists. The annual Nunavut Arts Festival was its centrepiece event, along with various workshops and conferences.

Former Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA Pat Angnakak, while speaking in the legislative assembly in March, inquired about NACASA国际影视传媒檚 footing. She noted that the last time she asked about the association in 2020, EDT Minister David Akeeagok told the House that the organization was not in compliance with the terms and conditions of its GN contribution agreement.

SA国际影视传媒淪adly, there is no update. It is still ongoing. I want to assure this House that there is no partnership agreement in place until all that is settled with the (NACA) board. Right now, there is no resolution to date with the Nunavut Arts and Crafts and their board. Right now it is in a limbo,SA国际影视传媒� Akeeagok said at the time. SA国际影视传媒淲e would like to continue to work with them, but when you donSA国际影视传媒檛 have that, you donSA国际影视传媒檛 have (an agreement). I want to assure this House that whatSA国际影视传媒檚 been approved for our partnership program, when terms of conditions are not being met, we do seize that. At this point, as sad as I am, we have seized that.SA国际影视传媒�

Arts organization needed

Brewster said itSA国际影视传媒檚 important that Nunavut maintain an arts and crafts organization that can support Nunavummiut artists.

SA国际影视传媒淲ell over thirty-five per cent of adult Nunavut Inuit self-identify as artists and many of those artists come from multi-generational families of artists,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭here are so many economic drivers for having an arts organization. There are really, really important mental health drivers because we know when weSA国际影视传媒檙e creating art that weSA国际影视传媒檙e healthier and happierSA国际影视传媒� I speak as an artist when I say that.SA国际影视传媒�

She added that the art from Nunavut has helped raise the profile of the territory across the country.

SA国际影视传媒淚nuit art is part of the Canadian psyche,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Although EDT stated that itSA国际影视传媒檚 not SA国际影视传媒渁ble to comment on the financial position of an independent organization like NACA,SA国际影视传媒� it noted that SA国际影视传媒渨hen EDT enters into an agreement with an organization like NACA, the department does not assume or accept responsibility for debts that the organization may have incurred.SA国际影视传媒�

The department added that it SA国际影视传媒渞emains committed and continues to work to ensure that Nunavut artists, arts organizations, and communities have access to programs and services that support the arts sector,SA国际影视传媒� adding that more than $5 million has been committed to support the overall arts sector in 2021-22.