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NUNAVUT - Inuit residential school survivors say they lack confidence in the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission following the resignation of its head commissioner Justice Harry LaForme.

LaForme left his position as chair of the commission on Oct. 20, citing irreconcilable differences with the two remaining commissioners, Claudette Dumont-Smith and Jane Brewin Morley.

Having returned to role as a justice with the Ontario Court of Appeal, he is not speaking publicly about his decision.

Former Nunavut commissioner and residential school survivor Peter Irniq said what little confidence he had left in the TRC process is now shot.

His requests for an Inuk commissioner have fallen on deaf ears, he said, and it now seems the commission has failed before the truth-gathering process has even begun.

"We no longer (have confidence in the process) because they're fighting now, they're fighting among themselves," said Irniq last week.

"Inuit will have to tell their stories through another media, which is something that we've already done with issue productions in Iglulik."

He added his disappointment that there aren't any Inuk names on the list of proposed replacements for LaForme. Irniq said he expected Jack Anawak, former Nunavut MP, or Marius Tungilik, former deputy minister of Nunavut, to be considered for appointment.

"I was really expecting to see those two names in particular," he said. "If they had had an Inuk commissioner, they wouldn't have gotten into this problem because I'm sure Marius or Jack...would have said, 'Look, we have a job to do. We need to tell the stories of survivors. Canadians have a right to know what happened to us at these residential schools. Let's get moving.' Obviously they failed to do that."

"The organization has to get their act together before we Inuit get our confidence back," said Pond Inlet residential school survivor Joe Kremmidjuar.

"I feel that instead of taking it seriously for the survivors of the residential schools, it seems to be a political game now and I'm not too pleased with that," he said in response to LaForme's resignation.

"When are they going to start with the survivors and families who have lost their children or grandchildren? How long do we have to wait again?

"What confidence is there? The Roman Catholic Church will not apologize and then the Government of Canada, they made an official apology but where are the services? Where are the people on top who understand the Inuit that have gone through the process of the residential schools?

"What confidence do I have?"

In a statement, Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, expressed her regret over LaForme's resignation.

"I am disappointed with this news as it will no doubt cause further delays in the work of the commission and frustration for victims of residential schools, across generations, who need healing," she said.

"I believe we need to move forward swiftly in reconstituting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the benefit of the survivors."

Simon stated the selection process for appointing a new chair should be done in such a way as to gain the confidence of all survivors.

"The recruiting process and selection of a new chair to the commission should have the confidence of Inuit, First Nations and Metis," she said.

"Inuit believe a reconstituted commission should include an Inuk commissioner. I am writing to the prime minister regarding Justice LaForme's resignation and the future of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission."