Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet, NU (Sep 25/02) - A three per cent budget increase for the Kivalliq Innuit Association is likely next year, but the organization is still receiving less funding than the other Regional Inuit Associations.

NTI vice-president of finance Paul Kaludjak said the KIA's budget may be smaller than the other regional agencies, but it's enough to ensure day-to-day operations are carried out adequately. - Tara Kearsey/NNSL photo

The Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated board of directors will recommend its membership approve the 2003-2004 draft budget in November at its annual general meeting.

The board is recommending the KIA receive almost $3 million for the 2003-2004 fiscal year, but the Kitikmeot Inuit and Qikiqtani Inuit Associations are slated to receive just over $3.2 million and $4 million respectively.

KIA secretary treasurer Simon Okpatauyak, just elected last December, said he is pleased with the proposed three per cent increase.

He said KIA was without a finance director for about six months, but the position has recently been filled. Okpatauyak said the new finance director is studying the proposed budget to determine if the funding is adequate.

"We're working on if there should be any changes, why it's so low, or how come it's so different. So hopefully we'll get those answers in the near future," he said.

Paul Kaludjak, vice-president of finance for NTI, said funding for operations for each RIA is based on the size of its operation and programs. He said the cost of doing business is much higher in the Baffin and Kitikmeot regions than the Kivalliq region.

"So their budget would reflect that difference because of higher costs to operate that organization," he said.

Kaludjak said NTI has discovered that the Kivalliq Inuit Association is "the cheapest organization to operate."

"I know this because I came from there and the transportation link to both regions in the south is more convenient, accessible and cost-effective than in the other two regions," he said.

Kaludjak said the nearly $3 million budget for the Kivalliq Inuit Association is adequate to ensure viable operations.