Nunavut residents’ survey on NTI’s AGM

A Baffin beneficiary of the Nunavut land claims agreement wanted us to publish this open letter to Nunavut beneficiaries.

She also said she wants beneficiaries to respond to this survey. You can mail us at Nunatsiaq News, P.O. Box 8, Iqaluit, NT, X0A 0H0, or fax us your responses to (819) 979-4763.

Are you one of approximately 19-20,000 Nunavut beneficiaries who read in Nunatsiaq News that NTI was proposing to borrow $23.3 million from the Nunavut Trust?

If the answer is yes, here’s your chance for you to have your say. Just return this survey to Nunatsiaq News when completed and ask them to compile the results for us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please return your results. They are important to us. We need to start letting our voices be heard and if we have to use the media ­ so be it!

1. Do you think that NTI should be borrowing money that was invested for our children’s future?

2. Did they inform you before they made the proposal to borrow from the Trust? How much percentage will the interest rate be to borrow the $23.3 million?

3. Does NTI need to be spending $1.8 million on economic development when government agencies are funding the same programs?

4. Do you think the NTI AGM should have approved funding for the Inuit Circumpolar Conference from NLCA money?

5. How do you think that NTI should have informed us of what would be on our agenda before, or on, the day of the AGM? By public notice, or by personal mail?

6. Do you think that NTI should hook up a 1-800 number for beneficiaries to call their delegate/resource person for an update on the AGM?

7. Do you know the role and responsibilities of the NTI staff? Have you seen a job description for all of the staff, from the top down?

8. Which organizations in your community are implementing claims?

9. Which organization in your community is responsible for informing you about Land Claims?

10. How often do you receive Land Claims information, and is there someone to answer your questions?

11. What qualities do you look for in a leader, one you know you can trust to manage your affairs?

12. As a male or female elder, man or woman or youth beneficiary, do you feel you have the same equality at the AGM?

13. Do you know how a delegate is elected to attend the AGM?

14. How has the NLCA affected your life?

15. Do you think that we are ready for self-government?

16. Are you aware that the whole world is watching us, to see how we will govern ourselves?

17. Did you know that once our NLCA money is gone, we cannot go back for more?

18. Do you have any ideas on how to make our elected leaders accountable for their actions?

19. What kind of vision do you have for our children and grandchildren?