Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jan 28/02) - The executive director of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association said last week a court order was being issued to remove past president Meeka Kilabuk from staff housing.

Terry Audla said Kilabuk was asked to move out of staff accommodations following her dismissal as president on Sept. 19. As of last Monday, Jan. 21, Kilabuk had failed to leave. That prompted Baffin's regional Inuit association to seek a court order to have her removed.

"Since (September), we've been very patient with her," said Audla.

"We've been very forgiving with Meeka, but we have to draw the line somewhere. We are going through the legal process of removing Meeka from staff housing," he said.

In response to the legal action, Kilabuk said the court order will leave her homeless because of the drastic shortage of housing in Iqaluit.

"If (interim president) Thomasie (Alikatuktuk) wants to use the sheriff, go ahead," said Kilabuk. "I can't fight that. I guess I become homeless," she said.

Kilabuk said her dismissal, which she called wrongful and illegal in a three-page letter she sent to the board earlier this month, came about because Alikatuktuk wanted her position.

QIA would not discuss the reasons for her termination -- calling her firing an internal matter involving the board and Kilabuk -- but they said it concerned other staff members.

"Thomasie wanted the job right from the beginning. He got what he wanted," said Kilabuk.

In response to the allegations, Audla said that the board chose the interim president from among their members. They opted not to have a byelection because of the cost involved in running the ballot for a position slated to last just one year. When other board members refused the nominations, Audla said Alikatuktuk was left to accept the job.

As for the severance package Kilabuk said is owed her, she said she had not yet received any money.

"They're having difficulty giving me a penny," she said.

She added that she does not intend to sue for wrongful dismissal. "I've spoken to many elders who said not to do that."