Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (June 13/05) - When Tagak Curley returned to politics last year, after almost 15 years out of it, he wasted no time making a splash.

Curley, who is fluent in English and Inuktitut, refused to speak English to reporters and made a statement in the legislative assembly about not wanting to be like a "qallunaat," the Inuit word for non-Inuit.

This was when he was running for premier of Nunavut.

Now, he says, that was a "pressure tactic" meant to emphasize the language issue in Nunavut.

"During the leadership process, not only politicians but journalists have their own agendas," said the Rankin Inlet North MLA in an interview at the legislature in early May, right after the legislative assembly wrapped up another session.

"With respect to the language issue, 80 per cent of the population is Inuit, Inuktitut speaking. They are very straightforward," he said. "They don't try to make up ideas that are 'far left wing' or 'right wing.' They just look at people as they are."

"The reporting, communication system our people have is very straightforward. Local radio is a main thing. Not many people read newspapers. During (the race for premier) it was important to focus on my constituents, focus on the majority of the population. Some politicians try to entertain the press, journalists. I wasn't interested in that."

Curley says he wanted to be premier because "you are either premier or a regular MLA. I did not want a cabinet position. I didn't come here to build a career in politics."

"To some it's easy (to be in politics) because they have their egos," he said. "I don't have that."

"I had been there before, for 30 years, as a lone individual trying to convince my people that we needed a political entity for our people so we can begin our self determination," he said. "Through our contact with Europeans, Inuit were always treated as a minority, and never really regained their self-confidence, self-determination in their lifestyle."

Curley is known for his openness about his faith in God, and his objection to gay marriage.

He does not agree with same-sex marriage. "That is contrary to God's laws," he said.

But Curley thinks journalists take it too far, characterizing him as a gay basher, or a right wing Christian fundamentalist - a label he says he doesn't even understand.

"I don't separate my care, my love for people, based on their lifestyle. No way. People are the same. They are the same," he said. "God treats us the same. He loves everybody."

He was born an Anglican, and today attends the Glad Tidings Church in Rankin Inlet. Curley is a man who is unafraid to admit he is inseparable from his faith.

"As a leader I needed that comfort," he said.

"Sometimes you can't make that decision or choice single. I've always had that connection (to God). That has been my strength."

"I can make a mistake, sure," he added. "But God's laws don't change just because you're in the legislature."

Curley, who avoided residential school, left high school in Ottawa in Grade 11, and moved back North to start gearing up for Nunavut.

He was a community development worker right out of school, doing "everything" including editing a newsletter in the Kivalliq region in the early 1970s.

"I'm not a routine guy. I'd rather be a routine hunter."

As one of the early land claims negotiators, Curley remembers a struggle.

"When I was a young man, I got all the political and economic groups together. The most draining part of my life was getting the Inuit movement going.

"Recruiting people to join together to join a national body. That drained a person like myself for many years."

Curley was an MLA in Yellowknife for eight years starting in 1979.

He says he "took advantage" of the situation, and used many of the rules and laws of the legislature to guide Nunavut into existence.

But that eventually wore him out, so he quit. I never thought I would come back," he said.