Iqaluit council has new look
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Oct 30/00) - The recent municipal election brought with it five new faces and the loss of three experienced, Inuktitut-speaking elected officials.
This loss has raised concerns that perhaps the Inuit of Iqaluit will be left out or at least ill-informed.
"There have been concerns expressed, but one never questions the wisdom of the electorate -- they have made the decisions," said the Town's chief administrative officer Rick Butler.
"This is similar to the concerns about only one woman being elected."
Butler said the Town will continue to do all it has done in the past -- in terms of translation of documents and council meetings.
The new mayor, John Matthews, also has plans to step up the communication effort within the community by establishing a website, televised council meetings and regular communications with the public.
"I would say we're going to do what we can to make sure that the community is more informed, that Inuktitut speaking residents and unilingual residents are engaged in meetings and the process of governing and managing the town," said Butler.
Newly elected councillor Kirt Ejesiak, who is a bilingual Inuk, said he doesn't foresee any one group of people being neglected by the council.
"I can see where it would be a concern for some people, but with the use of good interpreters and translators the voice of the Inuit will be heard," he said.
"And although there are quite a few non-Inuit councillors, many of them have Inuk partners and Inuit children. I think everyone will be fairly represented."
Simon Nattaq, who is returning to council for his second term, is a unilingual Inuk and he says things should be business as usual.
"I have no problem with many of the new councillors not being Inuit," he said through a translator.
