Drunken QIA members face expulsion from board

ANNETTE BOURGEOIS

Two executive members of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association will likely be removed from the board for breaking the organization’s code of conduct.

Secretary-treasurer John Illupalik and Community Director Jaypeetee Akeeagok were apparently drunk last Sunday and the flight crew on the charter from Iqaluit to Sanikiluaq refused to let them board the plane.

It’s the third time the two have broken the QIA code of conduct since it was introduced last October.

The QIA board of directors held its regular monthly meeting in Sanikiluaq this week. It’s the first time the board held the meeting in that community.

QIA President Lazarus Arreak said he’s disappointed to have to take disciplinary action against the two members.

“These are very capable people who unfortunately have not been able to live up to their responsibilities,” Arreak said. “This type of action is needed to ensure that the communities are better represented.”

The QIA executive committee has said it will ask the board of directors to remove the members. That board will hold a teleconference meeting May 12.

The QIA executive can authorize removal of an elected board member with a 65 per cent approval of the board of directors.