Nunavik whistle-blower pays high price for speaking out

I am writing to clarify a situation occurring between myself and the Executive Director of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services.

I believe that incorrect information is circulating in Nunavik and feel that I must set the record straight.

On Feb. 18, 2011, I received a letter signed by Jeannie May, the Executive Director of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services informing me that the three contracts I have with the health board were terminated effective immediately.

Furthermore, the letter said that I had to vacate the health board house I live in within seven days, on Feb. 25, 2011.

No reason was given for the cancelation of these contracts. The timing however, leads me to believe that the reason behind these actions is a letter I wrote to the executive director of the health board, copied to the chairperson, about what I considered to be abuses at the head office.

I do not believe I have done anything to warrant these actions. Through the many years I have been contracted by the health board to work for them, I have never received complaints about my work.

Any feedback about my work has been positive. There have been periods when I had too much work from them. In this context such actions are surprising.

Finding myself in a very vulnerable position, I have requested legal advice and a letter was sent by my lawyer to the executive director advising that the notice of termination is in direct violation of the terms of the contract executed between me and the Nunavik Regional Health Board Services and, as such, is completely illegal.

Under the law, I have completely adhered to all of the terms of these contracts and, as such, the Nunavik Regional Health Board Services has no grounds to terminate the contracts.

The following week, on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24, 2011, a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services took place in Kuujjuaq.

Some members of the Board of Directors requested a meeting with me so they could speak to me and ask questions about this termination. It seems the Board members were advised that they could not meet with me and that they could not change the decision of the executive director to terminate my contracts with the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services.

This was wrong.

The board members are well within their rights to make their request, and by law, have the right to access all information available. They can overturn any decision made by one of their employees. It would also appear that the letter I had sent to the executive eirector was not presented to the board of directors.

I feel I have been penalized for speaking the truth and reporting abuse which needs to be looked into. My employment, and literally, the roof over my head is becoming the cost of my honesty.

What happened to me last week is not new in Nunavik. It has happened to others before me. I believe I have done good work in Nunavik, and my goal is simply to be allowed to continue to do so with my fellow Inuit.

There have been many ploys used over the years to stop people from speaking out, behaviours that are planned in order to gain an advantage or discredit and disconcert those who dare to disagree.

When they succeed we all lose, as we become afraid of opposing the status quo and never get the opportunity to benefit from the new and creative solutions that arise from disagreement and debate.

I have a duty to show, by example, to my grandchildren and other young people, that speaking the truth is a good thing to do.

Honesty is one of our values. No matter what happens I will continue to do so.

Annie Popert
Kuujjuaq

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