We asked, they answered.
The four candidates vying to be president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) have submitted their responses about their background, motivation and specific positions on some of the most pressing issues for Nunavut Inuit.
The election is scheduled for Dec. 9.
What it is about your personal and professional background that makes you well suited for the role?
I have always been committed to Nunavut and Inuit. I can speak both languages: English and Inuktitut. Along with that, I am bi-cultural and [a] linguist. I am a former NTI president.
[I have] knowledge of the Nunavut Trust and the Nunavut land deal. Here is what I often say: Nunavut is two, not one. You have the Nunavut land agreement with certain rights and resources... this is for Inuit only and their unborn children. [Then] you have the Government of Nunavut, which is public government for non-Inuit and Inuit.
The Government of Nunavut does not have land... though Inuit organizations... have lands.
What motivated you to run?
What motivated me to run? I was not getting any information on the financial side of NTI. I left the presidency when NTI was in a healthy financial [position]. Now it is in [a four] million dollar deficit. Inuit need openness, transparency and accountability.
Do you agree with NTI's lawsuit against the GN over improved access to Inuktut education in kindergarten through Grade 12?
[As for] the court case on language, this is now at the Supreme Court level while we are losing our language. The Government of Nunavut does not have enough Inuktitut teachers yet. There [is] ample time to recruit [and] train Inuit teachers. With our language use of Inuktitut. we need to ensure that the Government of Nunavut carries out their obligations SA国际影视传媒� and this goes for Article 23: employment for Inuit.
What actions do you think NTI should take on addressing Nunavut's housing crisis?
Nunavut need a threefold model in dealing with the housing situation. It had only been twofold: Government of Nunavut and the federal government. The Inuit organizations have to be involved in each of the three regions, along with these two levels of government. Partnership would be a start. No one in Nunavut can address this housing issue [alone].
How can NTI improve the health status of beneficiaries?
There was a petition signed right across Nunavut to the effect each community [should] have their own Elders care [centre]. This is done in Greenland. A lot of our Elders need to be close to family, language and culture, food, etc. It is not just the large communities. Small communities are being ignored.
Along with that, mental health and trauma are not being addressed. Inuit need to be mentally healthy... We also need boarding homes and shuttles in the larger communities for patients to stay at while on medical travel... Inuit are not rich. They travel at times for medical [care] with no finances. Better yet, why not offer traditional food in hospitals for Inuit patients? After eating Chinese food in the south, Inuit start craving the traditional food... our traditional food gives us strength.
Does Nunavut need more mines or fewer mines than it has now?
As for the mines, under the Nunavut Agreement [we have] public institutions of governance [like the] Nunavut Water Board, Nunavut Wildlife Board, etc.There is a process for approval of mines, and the Inuit have to be heard. One president cannot make the decision alone. There are a lot of factors to consider: social, economics, caribou calving grounds SA国际影视传媒� the impacts of a mine need to be decided at all levels, not just one president.
