Inuit summit top of to-do list
Time to revisit what Nunavut was supposed to be about, says Nunavut Tunngavik president
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 10, 2014
NUNAVUT
After a three-day annual general meeting Oct. 21 to 23, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) has its work carved out for the year ahead with 19 resolutions on the books.
President Cathy Towtongie spoke with Nunavut News/North about the top six she has in her sights.
Government procurement
Towtongie cites as an example companies which come to Nunavut, bringing their own staff, leaving Inuit unemployed. Companies also sometimes buy houses in the communities so they won't use the hotels in the communities.
"That's a concern. So the Inuit are pushing the government of Nunavut and Canada to develop and maintain procurement policies to fulfill the spirit and intent of Article 24," said Towtongie.
The full resolution states that the "Government of Canada has yet to develop procurement policies to implement Article 24" and "improvements are much needed to the Government of Nunavut's (Nunavummiut Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti) NNI policy and its implementation and monitoring processes."
A 116-page external report by a law firm on the NNI, provided to the legislative assembly, is very detailed and contains recommendations that NTI supports, said Towtongie.
"The auditor general of Canada did say that the NNI policy, which has been in existence for 12 years, is not working for Nunavut today. So we have to update it, renew it, and follow the recommendations of the report."
Inuit summit on social and cultural issues
"There are social issues right across Nunavut that are pressing, very pressing," said Towtongie.
Suicide, homelessness on the increase, food security, mental health issues, crowded housing, and loss of language, culture and tradition are a few that she lists.
"And administration of government is mainly not Inuit, so there's a disconnect with the Inuit culture and these policies, programs and services. They have to better reflect Nunavut."
The Mental Health Act is still the same as is used in the Northwest Territories and hasn't been updated to reflect Inuit values.
"The members were calling - the organizations, grassroots groups, community groups and individuals - to discuss and design new and creative solutions to these pressing issues."
NTI intends to organize a summit on social and cultural issues in 2015 and is calling on the governments of Canada and Nunavut to provide the "necessary financial resources and contributions."
"We need a summit. We do."
Opposition to seismic survey
NTI is renewing its call from 2013 that the federal government conduct a comprehensive strategic environmental assessment. Further, the assessment must incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and adequately consult Inuit.
"In June 2014, the National Energy Board made the decision to issue a marine seismic survey permit and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development approved the benefits plan related to the project.
"This decision was made without the benefit of an environmental assessment and without adequate consultation with and accommodation of the concerns of the affected Inuit communities," reads the resolution.
"That is very important to the Inuit, as you are aware," said Towtongie. "One of our members, Levi Barnabas from Arctic Bay, was saying that with caribou diminishing and the reliance of Inuit on sea mammals - and we can't turn to farming - Inuit need assurance that seismic work will not affect sea mammals."
NTI insists that a strategic environmental assessment is absolutely necessary.
"Have you seen that mining spill in British Columbia? Looking at that, you have to ask, how do we do it in Nunavut? We need certainty to survive with these activities going on.
"That's frightening. Frightening."
Alcohol and drug abuse
NTI released the report titled Examining the Justice System in Nunavut at the annual general meeting.
"Nunavummiut are suffering severely from alcohol- and drug-related crimes and social issues," said Towtongie. "After almost every weekend we hear of a tragedy across Nunavut communities. From the task force on liquor, we were informed that the dry communities are wetter than the wet communities. So that is a major issue."
The resolution, among other items, calls for increased resources to stop bootlegging.
"There are only two ways alcohol is coming in, airlines and Canada Post," said Towtongie. "We don't have roads in Nunavut so it should be a matter of prioritizing."
She adds this affects each and every person across Nunavut.
"We know it's happening, it's going on. Now, let's deal with it."
Elders' care in communities
Adequacy of care for elders needs to be reviewed by the GN, including regular inspections of elders' facilities.
"We were informed that in one of the communities, by one of our regional Inuit groups, Keewatin, that they caught caribou for the elders," said Towtongie. "Elders have different eating habits than breakfast, lunch or supper. Before they go to bed they usually like to eat frozen delicacies to get their stomachs colder."
It was reported that in the elders' facility, the elders were not allowed to do that.
"Also, some of them would like to eat traditionally - on the floor, get some frozen meat out."
Towtongie says that's an example of disconnect between Inuit way of
life and policy.
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association created the Qikiqtani Truth Commission with a mandate to investigate the truth surrounding the alleged "dog slaughter," relocations and other decisions made by the Government of Canada from 1950 to 1975 that dramatically affected Inuit culture, economy and way of life," the resolution states.
"We are calling on government, in a spirit of reconciliation, to implement the 25 recommendations in the report," said Towtongie.
The report was released in 2010, and includes a recommendation that the Government of Canada apologize and conduct healing sessions for all affected communities and consider the possibility of monetary compensation.
Summit is crucial
Towtongie concluded the conversation by saying that a summit on Inuit affairs in 2015 is vital.
"Nunavut was established in 1999 and there have been no summits to deal with these types of cultural and social issues," she said.
"It's time to revisit what Nunavut was supposed to be about, and the policies and administration, the design of these policies."
She notes the disconnect between real Inuit people and policy.
"Everyone is trying to do a good job, each of us that are elected, but somehow the administration of these policies and programs ... we are disconnecting."
Despite the work and long road ahead, Towtongie remains positive about the success of partnerships between NTI, the regional Inuit associations and the governments of Nunavut and Canada.
"We have to come up with made-in-Nunavut policies and programming soon."
