QIA ousts member, spares another

ANNETTE BOURGEOIS

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association has voted to fire an executive member who was too drunk to attend a meeting last month.

The QIA board of directors voted to remove secretary-treasurer John Illupalik. Community director Jaypeetee Akeeagok, who also failed to show up for the meeting was spared the same fate by a single vote.

Board members must reach a 65 per cent majority in order to remove a fellow elected board member or executive member. Akeeagok came one vote short of being removed.

QIA president Lazarus Arreak said the association acknowledges that substance abuse is a social problem and its committed to helping people deal with those problems.

“Jaypeetee has admitted his mistakes and we believe that he knows that this is his last chance,” Arreak said. “As for the secretary-treasurer, we’re very disappointed that we had to take this action.”

Inebriated, the pair were prohibited from boarding a plane to Sanikiluaq where the QIA held its April meeting.