QIA imposes new rules on QC and Kakivak

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has laid down a tough new set of rules for its two economic development arms, the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Kakivak Association.

Contained in a resolution passed May 30 at QIA’s board meeting in Grise Fiord, the new rules require regular financial reporting from QC and Kakivak, and state who may — and may not — serve as members of their boards.

They’re part of a new “Policy on Governance of Controlled Organizations,” aimed at giving QIA better control over QC and Kakivak.

“The whole corporate governance model concept has been looked at by our board since last spring,” said Terry Audla, QIA’s executive director.

Five highlights of the new policy are:

• QC and Kakivak must give QIA notice of all board and executive committee meetings — the QIA president, and/or the QIA executive director, or their designate, may attend any QC or Kakivak meeting;

• All compensation, whether financial or non-financial, given to any “appointee” of QC or Kakivak, requires that the given organization be in “good financial standing,” and must have the approval of QIA’s board of directors;

• A beneficiary may be nominated or appointed to only one nomination or appointment at any given time by QIA — this is to ensure that all beneficiaries get the opportunity to participate in QIA and its controlled organizations;

• QC and Kakivak must provide QIA with activity reports and financial statements at specified intervals, and at other times as required by QIA;

• Employees of QIA, QC and Kakivak are not eligible to serve as members of the QIA board of directors.

Audla says the purpose of these measures is to give QIA more control over its “controlled organizations.”

“It’s all about accountability,” he said.

The only appointed employee to be directly affected right now by the new policies is Johnny Mike, QC’s president, who is also listed as a member of QC’s board of directors, subject to confirmation.

Under the new rules, QC employees or appointees are not eligible to serve as board members. Audla said a letter on the matter has gone out to Mike.

Last year, QC and QIA each suffered from the sudden departure of several key employees and other officials.

QC’s former president, Jerry Ell, either resigned or was asked to resign his job for reasons that are still unclear. The next person to hold that position, Abraham Tagalik, also quit his job, citing allegations that Nunatsiaq News is now legally prevented from repeating.

Financially, QC wracked up a deficit of over $2 million in 2000, and began a deficit recovery plan last year.

As for QIA, elected president Meeka Kilabuk was removed from office after an extended controversy that also saw the departure of John Amagoalik from the executive director’s position.

Several other key staff members also quit their jobs last year.

QIA’s board eventually appointed Thomasie Alikatuktuk of Pangnirtung to replace Kilabuk as president.

Audla says the organization has since recovered from last year’s turmoil, and is looking forward to the future.

“The board seems to be much more comfortable with how the organization is set up now and there seems to be no major concerns internally.”

Staff morale has improved as well, and most vacancies created last year have been filled.

“We’re pretty much fully staffed. We just have one or two positions to fill,” Audla said.

With funding from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., QIA is hiring 12 more employees — community liaison workers.

“They’re to keep beneficiaries informed at the local level of any land claim initiatives by NTI or QIA,” Audla said.

So with its new stability, QIA is now able to look at its future with more confidence, Audla said.

“There was a two-day workshop in Grise Fiord where we went through the whole exercise of looking at QIA’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and from there we want to look at where the organization wants to head within the next year to few years.”