Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 20/01) - Meeka Kilabuk's position with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association remains in doubt.

A request for her resignation as president came from the association's board of directors in a letter delivered to her home Wednesday, July 18, the same day Kilabuk was scheduled to return to work after an enforced leave of absence.

Meeka Kilabuk

QIA acting executive director John MacDougall delivered the letter. He said the decision to let her go was made during a board teleconference July 5.

"At that time, they reviewed a number of issues relating to the president and made the decision unanimously to request her resignation," said MacDougall, last Thursday morning.

MacDougall was unable to comment specifically on the nature of the issues, but said they were clearly outlined in a resolution passed during the teleconference.

Since Kilabuk's election last December, she has come under repeated fire for her management style, her spending decisions and for failing to carry out the tasks assigned QIA under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

MacDougall took the letter to Kilabuk's home when she didn't show up at work last Wednesday. He said he received notification that she was at home and took the letter to her. Kilabuk's daughter reportedly told MacDougall that Kilabuk was unavailable, but said she would give her mother the letter.

Kilabuk had until the end of the day on Friday, July 20, to tender her resignation. However, because MacDougall was on duty travel Friday afternoon and because his replacement, Salamonie Shoo, was unavailable, News/North was unable to determine if Kilabuk had resigned.

Staff members declined to comment on the matter and Kilabuk herself could not be reached for comment.

Acting president Mark Evaloarjuk will remain at the helm of the Baffin birthright organization until an election can be held.

Kilabuk replaced Pauloosie Keyootak as president when the board asked him to step down for breaching the organization's code of conduct.