Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 16/01) - The Qikiqtani Inuit Association refuses to say if Meeka Kilabuk will return to her role as president.

Kilabuk was asked to take a leave of absence by QIA's executive council last month. She came under fire for her management style and spending decisions and was asked to step aside on June 29.

Kilabuk was scheduled to return to the helm of the Baffin birthright organization on July 18, but when asked about the matter last week, the acting executive director refused to comment.

"I can't make any comment regarding issues relating to the president," said John MacDougall, formerly a policy analyst with QIA and now the acting executive director.

He also said he could not comment on why he was unable to comment.

When asked if he thought operating in silence and secrecy was fair to beneficiaries, MacDougall said Baffin Inuit would get the answers they wanted over the next few weeks.

"Beneficiaries will see the reasoning in our position when all is said and done," said MacDougall.

Grise Fiord meeting cancelled ... again

Kilabuk was slated to come back to work in time to attend the QIA board meeting scheduled to take place in Grise Fiord this week. But MacDougall said the board of directors unanimously voted to cancel the meeting two weeks ago.

He said the meeting was cancelled for a number of reasons, but primarily because of the shortage of staff at the organization. The remaining employees were unable to prepare the reports, the financial reports, and they needed "extra breathing space" to get ready.

This is the second time the quarterly Grise Fiord board meeting has been cancelled. To avoid the hurt feelings caused by the short-notice cancellation in March, MacDougall said a letter of apology was sent to the mayor of Grise Fiord. He also said QIA vowed to reschedule the meeting in the High Arctic hamlet and promised to make it an event to remember.

"When we do get there, we're going to ensure that the meeting is one of the best meetings QIA has ever held," said MacDougall. "I think they're deserving of that."

Show us the money

Prior to her leave of absence, Kilabuk committed the organization to making public the exact amount spent on board governance workshops held in Ottawa this spring.

A rough estimate of $300,000 was released, but the official figures were due out this week. However, MacDougall said the cost will not be made public until a comptroller is hired and given the opportunity to verify the figures. He did not know when that would take place.