Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 10/01) - It's five down, two to go for the region's birthright organization.

That means the troubled Qikiqtani Inuit Association can turn its attention to the work of benefiting beneficiaries, said the organization's acting executive director.

John MacDougall said five of seven vacant positions have been filled, including a new executive director and a new comptroller.

"We've been waiting for this for a long time," MacDougall said.

The QIA was hit by a wave of resignations following the election of Meeka Kilabuk more than seven months ago. As well, Kilabuk had fired former executive director John Amagoalik, alleging he had violated internal policies.

Terry Audla, a former member of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, will take the reins as QIA's executive director, while John French, an accountant from St. John's, Newfoundland will assume the responsibilities of comptroller. Miali Coley has been brought aboard as youth coordinator.

An administrative clerk position has also been filled, while final selection will be made this week on a finance clerk's job. Two other positions remain vacant, and MacDougall expects them to be filled this week.

MacDougall said more than 90 people applied for the jobs, and most applicants were from Nunavut.

"It's great to have an executive director and a comptroller finally," said MacDougall, who will return to his old job as a policy analyst.

MacDougall says he hopes the hirings will take the strain of the 16 staffers who have been trying to make do without a full complement. The first order of business is to finalize preparations for QIA's annual general meeting, in Iqaluit starting Sept. 24.

Audla was in Nunavik and unavailable for comment.