Government official attends controversial Summit
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (May 07/01) - Until last month, David Akeeagok was more familiar with decentralization than tear gas.
But, after spending six days in Quebec City at the Third Summit of the Americas, the assistant deputy minister of the decentralization secretariat has a new set of experiences to draw on.
"I saw tear gas," said Akeeagok. "I noticed smoke about three blocks away and the wind was heading in our direction. I could feel my nose and eyes begin to burn."
Akeeagok was told to rinse his eyes and nose with water and to stay inside the buildings where the Summit was held. His wife and children at home in Iqaluit saw the strife on television news.
"(My wife) didn't really grasp it until the day of the violence," said Akeeagok. "And then she told me to go home."
Akeeagok said he explained to her that he was safe from harm.
"I called her right away and reassured her."
The protest
Drawing government leaders from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, the Summit was held in to develop the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Protesters contend the trade agreement will increase poverty in many countries and infringe on human rights.
Akeeagok said the conference brought him the closest he's ever been to a violent protest.
Aside from the few clashes he witnessed, Akeeagok said tight security inside the Summit made him feel safe.
Flying the Nunavut flag
Akeeagok said the federal government wanted to highlight the land claims and he jumped at the chance to represent Nunavut at the kiosk run by the Department of Indian Affairs.
Sitting alongside representatives from the Nisga'a Nation of B.C., Akeeagok handed out Nunavut pins, calendars, government information packages and caribou jerky from the Kivalliq region.
"It showed that Nunavut is successful to the rest of the world. It's not all doom and gloom," said Akeeagok.
"It shows that when people work together, it gets recognized."
