Iqaluit (Nov 20/06) - It isn't quite belt-tightening, but Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the three regional Inuit associations all had to keep a close eye on the bottom line when forming budget projections for next year.

FUNDING: 2007-08 funding from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated approved Wednesday: Qikiqtani Inuit Association: $7.7 million Kivalliq Inuit Association: $4.2 million Kitikmeot Inuit Association: $4.5 million Total budget for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.: $21.9 million

That's because the regional bodies, along with the Inuit Heritage Trust and the Atuqtuarvik Corporation lending agency, all have to limit spending growth to three per cent per year.

It's part of the preparation for the end of federal cash transfers to the Nunavut Trust, which manages the cash settlement of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, explained Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) president Paul Kaludjak.

Ottawa will cut its final cheque to NTI in 2007.

"It has helped us to advance our Inuit investment monies," Kaludjak said in an interview.

He also praised the regional Inuit organizations for keeping close watch on their expenses.

Delegates passed the budgets, with one dissenting vote. Sytukie Joamie of Iqaluit abstained to voice his displeasure with the decision to put off a request from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) for $600,000 to fund a commission to investigate the slaughter of sled dogs by the RCMP in the 1950s.

"I'm abstaining and I think you know the reason," Joamie told delegates.

The QIA's request stands outside the regular budgeting process and will be dealt with by NTI's board of directors at a later date.

Kaludjak said any additional projects must be approved by NTI's finance committee.

"If we see there's a benefit to beneficiaries (the response is) usually favourable by the board," he said.