Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 28/05) - Questions continue to swirl around a mystery apology issued Nov. 15 by Jobie Nutarak, speaker of the legislative assembly.

According to news reports, Nutarak says he apologized because of his conduct at the Akitsiraq Law School Program convocation ceremony June 21.

On Nov. 23, CBC North reported Nutarak was upset there were no Inuktitut translations for English speeches at the ceremony. It was reported that he interrupted a speech and called for it to be translated.

One graduate complained to an MLA about Nutarak's disruption, prompting his recent apology, the report said.

Two of the people who were at the graduation said they don't remember any problems.

Kim Hart Wensley, University of Victoria director of the law program that's run in conjunction with Arctic College, says all speeches at the graduation were translated.

"We had translators the entire time and went to great lengths to make sure everything was translated," said Hart Wensley. She said she is not aware of any complaints made regarding translations, either during the graduation or afterwards.

"This takes me completely by surprise."

Harvey Chan, executive director of the law society of Nunavut, attended both the convocation and the private dinner afterwards. He said translators were available for all speeches and is not aware of any complaints made at either event.

Former Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson and several Nunavut officials also attended the event and dinner.

The apology has one of Nutarak's constituents in Pond Inlet calling for the speaker to step aside for not being honest with the public.

"I was appalled and disillusioned that our MLA, who is supposed to be representing us, is instead holding things from us," said Joe Krimmerdjuar. "I mean, why bother to apologize and not even let us know what he's apologizing about. It doesn't make sense.

"If he was asking for interpreters, that's a legitimate question. There must be something else going on."

He called on the premier to speak up about this issue.

"When I heard the premier was too busy to say anything, that got me upset. What kind of government do we have here? These people are here to serve the public."

Premier Paul Okalik refused to speak to Nunavut News/North last week about the issue.

As well, Nutarak refused to answer written questions, sent to him in Inuktitut.

The clerk of the legislative assembly, John Quirk, also refused to answer questions about whether people had complained to the legislature about Nutarak's actions.