Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jun 25/01) - Paul Quassa is questioning Meeka Kilabuk's decision to spend hundreds of thousands of QIA dollars sending board members to a pair of workshops in Ottawa.
"One has to remember we are from Nunavut and we should be doing things within Nunavut. We are here to promote Nunavut and help Nunavummiut economically," Quassa, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., said last week.
During a recent press conference organized by Kilabuk, beneficiaries asked the president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association why the board decided to travel to Ottawa instead of spending Inuit money in Nunavut. Kilabuk was also asked about the cost of the two-week event.
During the June 15 press conference she organized to discuss the termination of executive director John Amagoalik, Kilabuk said she couldn't confirm how much money was spent on the board governance workshops delivered by Tony Chang of the Orion Group in Yellowknife.
However, Salamonie Shoo, the manager of QIA's lands and resources department and the organization's former acting executive director, confirmed last week the workshops cost a minimum of $300,000.
Twenty-four staff and board members went to Ottawa May 13 to 18 for the first part of the workshop, followed by 23 officials June 3 through June 8. The price tag includes a followup visit by Chang during July's Grise Fiord board meeting and custom designed leadership manuals.
Kilabuk admitted the money could have been spent closer to home, but said the success of the workshop relied on removing the board and staff members from their normal surroundings.
"Yes, it could have been (done in Nunavut), but at this point it was important that we were removed from Nunavut ... from your normal environment. That's what (Tony Chang's) suggestions were," said Kilabuk.
She said it was also important for the board to be seen by national decision-makers and for them to meet national decision-makers.
Quassa said he is using the same model of board governance at his organization. While he called the system effective, he said QIA should have spent the money at home.
"It would be advisable that we do all of our business in Nunavut. This is something (QIA) should consider. I would advise them to do that."
Kilabuk is expected to release the final figures in July.
