All’s silent at QIA

IQALUIT — “No comment,” seemed to be the most-repeated statement from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association to reporters this week.

Upon returning to Iqaluit from a workshop in Ottawa, QIA President Meeka Kilabuk this week refused to speak with Nunatsiaq News about the suspension late last month of the organization’s recently hired executive director, John Amagoalik.

On Tuesday afternoon, a QIA employee told Nunatsiaq News Kilabuk had left the office and would be unavailable for an interview. Minutes later, Kilabuk re-appeared in the QIA office but still refused to grant an interview. She said she and QIA lawyers were in the process of writing a press release that would be issued as soon as it was done.

Kilabuk then remarked with annoyance, “The CBC is waiting for the press release, IBC is waiting for the press release, but no, not Nunatsiaq.”

By Nunatsiaq News’ press deadline on Wednesday afternoon no press release had been received from QIA