Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Grise Fiord (June 10/02) - The Baffin region's Inuit organization is through with disorder.

The general consensus following a recent meeting in Grise Fiord is that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association finally pulled itself out of the quagmire it landed in last fall.

The QIA was hit by a leadership change and multiple staff resignations and the Inuit organization struggled to fulfil its mandate. But, according to one community member who attended some of the board meeting, it appeared that QIA took a turn for the better.

"I sensed a new beginning. It was like they have their house in order for the first time in a long time," said Marty Kuluguqtuq.

QIA executive director Terry Audla agreed with Kuluguqtuq's assessment.

"I feel that," said Audla.

"Rather than looking in, we're looking out."

Board meeting agenda items included assessing how the organization could better govern itself and amending the bylaws of its sister organizations -- the Kakivak Association and the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation -- so that all three entities have the same policies.

Under the direction of QIA, Kakivak and QC oversee economic development and are involved in business initiatives in the region. Furthermore, as resolved at QIA's annual general meeting last fall, members agreed to dissolve Ulu board, which formerly ran Kakivak and QC, and create two separate boards for the development corporations.

Resolute Bay resident George Eckalook was appointed chair of QC's board and Grise Fiord's Larry Audlaluk was appointed chair of the Kakivak Association.

Confirmation on remaining board members is underway.

Their names will be made public once they've accepted their positions.