Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
 BY THE NUMBERS
- NTI Operational Fiscal year 2002-2003: $15,626,955 - Nunavut Social Development Council: $2,233,410 - Inuit Heritage Trust: $776,916 - Kitikmeot Inuit Association: $3,151,792 - Kivalliq Inuit Association: $2,876-790 - Qikiqtani Inuit Association: $3,883,590 - Regional economic development: $1,800,000 - Beneficiary benefits plan: $1,000,000 - Sakku Recovery Plan: $1,046,513 - Community Liaison Officers: $1,676,000 |
That was the warning from trust fund administrators to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. delegates who met here last week.
They said that while the trust managed to make a small profit this year, the faltering economy could make it difficult to maintain payouts without depleting the trust's reserves.
The annual general meeting saw 48 NTI delegates approve a $34-million budget for the next year.
The meeting also marked a turning point of sorts for NTI, which has seen its share of troubles during the past year.
Among the most difficult was the suspension and reinstatement of former president Paul Quassa.
He subsequently resigned.
Acting president James Eetoolook told the assembled delegates that, "It is part of the process that we go through difficult times."
"As the old saying says, 'Sometimes we have to cry once in a while to cleanse ourselves.' "
The meeting itself went well.
"This is the smoothest" in NTI's 28-year history, said second vice-president Raymond Ningeochak.
During the week of meetings, delegate unanimously approved a $1-million loan to Sakku Corp.
Delegates also unanimously agreed to support David Ward's (Kiviaq) court challenge against the federal government.
Ward, an Inuk lawyer now living in Edmonton, is suing Ottawa for allegedly not living up to its responsibilities to Inuit.
