QIA meeting switch disappoints hamlet
Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Grise Fiord (Mar 26/01) - Some residents of this High Arctic hamlet feel snubbed by the last-minute cancellation of a meeting set for the community.
Although the Qikiqtani Inuit Association's (QIA) board of directors were to meet March 6-8 in Grise Fiord, but it was switched to Iqaluit instead.
"The executive thought it was important to have the whole board together," explained Oleepica Ikkidluak, QIA communications officer. She said it was easier for the board to meet in the capital.
"The president (Meeka Kilabuk) assured them we would go up in June."
Ikkidluak admitted there are problems with that plan, too. Many of the people who planned to host billets will not be available, as many Grise Fiord residents are out on the land at that time of year.
Hamlet employee Marty Kuluguqtuq is upset the association did not tell the hamlet that the meeting was cancelled until the last minute. He said he found out by word of mouth.
He said the association only gave the hamlet "dribs and drabs" of information for an explanation.
"The people up here were going to take the QIA people in their homes and went out of their way," he said.
"People even bought extra sheets and extra pillows but now that is to no avail.... We even had some people from the hunters and trappers association set aside polar bear, seal and muskox meat."
Kuluguqtuq said the community was looking forward to the occasion and the economic spin-offs of hosting 17 QIA representatives, as well as special interest groups.
"It's a rarity we get to host government organizations," he added. "It's a bitter disappointment really."
