New leader introduced while questions linger over firing
Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jan 22/01) - The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has welcomed its new president but questions remain over why the old was fired.
Meeka Kilabuk has taken on the president's role of QIA with energy and vigour.
She was busy at a Jan. 5 meet and greet for invited guests from the community. Kilabuk spent a good portion of the afternoon serving elders and dishing up plates.
Since then, Kilabuk has not returned phone calls about the dismissal of former president Pauloosie Keyootak.
He was voted out by the QIA's board of directors on Oct. 6, but the specific reasons why are still hazy.
All they will say is that the former president and chief executive officer was dismissed for breaching the association's code of conduct.
Exactly what Keyootak did remains unclear, but Jerry Ell the president of QIA's development corporation, the Qikiqtaaluk Corp., said the fact Keyootak was dismissed showed the system works, "otherwise he would still be here."
Ell said Kilabuk is the right person to take over.
"She has a lot of experience across Nunavut and certainly has a lot of credibility amongst leaders," he said.
Questions remain
Despite Ell's assurances, some beneficiaries said the need to know more so they can decide for themselves that the firing was justified
"I know there was some sort of friction against the code of conduct," said Marty Kuluguktuk from Grise Fiord.
I think we should be told why as a member of the organization and as a beneficiary.
"I don't think a few disgruntled politicians should be removing elected people in a discreet and uninformed way," he added.
"That seems to go against the spirit of democracy."
Kilabuk said she is ready to take over his role, citing beneficiary compensation and the rights of Inuit women and the disabled as high priorities.
"It's been a boy's club and it is no longer going to be that," she said.
