IQALUIT - Nattilik MLA Enuk Pauloosie will be admitted into the legislative assembly when the fall session begins on Nov. 24, according to clerk John Quirke.

Pauloosie was suspended without pay on June 4 for being persistently absent and failing to attend committee meetings. The decision to suspend Pauloosie was passed unanimously by members of the legislative assembly.

Some of Pauloosie's constituents say they have been let down by his behaviour in the legislature.

Ellen Ittunga, a Grade 6 teacher at Netsilik School in Taloyoak, said Pauloosie spoke on the local radio station after his suspension. Ittunga phoned in and told him he should apologize to the community. She said missing sessions at the legislature means missing opportunities for the communities he represents.

"If we missed any funding for improvements at the arena or to help better the health programs in the community, then that would have been a great loss," she said.

Ittunga said she is hopeful that Pauloosie will be more dedicated during the fall session.

"I think he's learned his lesson and we just have to wait and see if he's not improving," she said.

Taloyoak Mayor Charlie Lyall agreed.

"It was very disappointing, the fact that he was suspended," Lyall said. "We have a very hard time with the territorial government and we have no voice in the legislative assembly when he's not there."

He also said he hopes Pauloosie will do a better job during the fall sitting.

"I certainly hope he behaves himself and does it properly this time around," he said.

A constituent from Gjoa Haven, who requested not to be named, said Pauloosie should be setting a more positive example.

"It really sends the wrong kinds of message to people in the riding that it's acceptable to not follow through on responsibilities," he said.

"I would have liked to have seen more of an openness from him to people here in the communities that he did wrong and what he's going to do to change things," he said. "It's a pretty big issue when your MLA can't speak for you in the legislature."

Pauloosie was not available for comment as of press time.

Premier Eva Aariak would not comment because she does not have control over regular members, according to her press secretary.