Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Pelly Bay (Sep 30/02) - Nunavut's territorial land claim organization has reaffirmed its dedication to the ongoing lawsuit challenging the federal firearms legislation.

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated's board of directors passed a resolution on Sept. 12 in Kugaaruk, acknowledging support of the lawsuit against the federal government.

First vice-president James Eetoolook said the legislation represents a problem to Inuit hunters, and NTI has recently been informed of other regulations that they did not previously know about.

"Also the department closed their Nunavut office in Iqaluit and we didn't appreciate that since there is a lot of Inuit who still need to update their licenses.

"We are not criminals and I think we'll be looked at as criminals when we try to help people with their certificates," he said.

Eetoolook said the legislation presents a hardship to Inuit hunters who need assistance filling out their applications.

"Don't forget there are a whole lot of Inuit who do not read or write in English," said Eetoolook.

"... and we rely on our hunting to put food on the table."

"So I think the legislation should be amended so that the Inuit and aboriginal people have better access to getting the certificates," he said.

Eetoolook said they will continue with the lawsuit, no matter how long it takes or how much it costs.

"The money doesn't really matter. It can cost money ... but we're not going to give up on it until we see an end result that is for the betterment of the lives of the Inuit," he said.