RANKIN INLET - Former Nunavut MLA Manitok Thompson made a passionate, and often biting, presentation in Rankin Inlet this past week at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s (NTI) annual general meeting.

Former Nunavut MLA Manitok Thompson states some people's concerns over Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s (NTI) lack of transparency as Baker Lake elder Norman Attungla waits to add his support during NTI meetings in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Armed with petitions signed by thousands of Nunavummiut, Thompson wasted little time in taking the land claims organization to task.

Thompson wants to see more transparency from NTI, and held up a stack of signed petitions that supported an agency being put in place with a mandate similar to the auditor general of Canada's.

She said the agency needs to have full authority to examine all NTI records, books and policies, and be able to report its findings on NTI-related activities, agencies, organizations, businesses and trusts to all beneficiaries.

"I've felt like I've been lost from Nunavut for the past few years due to a serious illness in my family," said Thompson.

"But I was quite disturbed by what so many people told me when I attended a women's meeting in Iqaluit, so I felt I had to do something to address their concerns.

"I agree there's a serious disconnect in Nunavut right now between the vast majority of beneficiaries and their government and land claims organization.

"One elder told me as a people, we are so welcoming and friendly on the outside, but inside many of us are hurting so bad because we've lost confidence in the Inuit beneficiary organizations."

Thompson created a stir in the room when she showed she hasn't lost her flair for the dramatic while making a point about NTI spending.

Her voice was sharp and clear pointing out NTI salaries and money spent on consultants, all in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Then it dropped to softly articulate shock, anguish and disbelief as she drew attention to the fact NTI only gives $3,000 per community for hunters to bring in food.

"We need an office like the auditor general's so it can also look at policies, hiring practices, and the offices and agencies being created with our money," said Thompson.

"People don't seem to know the most basic things about NTI or what it is up to.

"Polar bears have a louder voice than beneficiaries right now.

"If (former NTI president) Paul Kaludjak can spend so much money on a credit card, why are so many of our people still starving?"

Acting president James Eetoolook said NTI is operating on interest, and, during the recession, had to take out loans when it found itself in a deficit situation.

He said NTI takes the concerns of beneficiaries very seriously and does its best to distribute information.

"We will deal with the requests of those people on the petitions," said Eetoolook.

"We all had high expectations from the Land Claims Agreement, but I have to keep looking at our future.

"Sometimes we are not aware of all the issues out there, especially with the organization continuing to grow.

"But we will deal with these concerns."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.