Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Olayuk Akesuk spoke with Nunatsiaq News about the recent funding for the Qikiqtani Truth Commission report and recommendations. He said it is important that funding for the report goes toward implementing the 25 recommendations in the next 10 to 20 years. (Photo courtesy of QIA)
Akesuk says fulfilling 25 recommendations priority for truth commission funding
QIA received $25.75 million for Qikiqtani Truth Commission final report; seeking $31 million for final investment
Implementing the 25 recommendations of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission’s final report remains the focus for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, says president Olayuk Akesuk.
He confirmed that in an interview with Nunatsiaq News after QIA received the second installment of agreed-to funding from the federal government last week.
However, he added, some of those recommendations will be accomplished more quickly than others.
Akesuk used the example of the third recommendation, where QIA and RCMP must acknowledge the contributions of Inuit special constables.
To achieve that, a monument was erected in front of Iqaluit’s RCMP headquarters showing an Inuit special constable harnessing his qimmiq, an Inuit sled dog.
The truth commission was created by QIA in 2007 to document the damaging policies and actions of the Canadian government and RCMP against Inuit in the Arctic from 1950 to 1975.
Harmful policies enacted onto Qikiqtani Inuit during that 25-year period include forced relocations and killing of qimmiit by RCMP.
Akesuk said recommendations related to the healing process can take years to fulfill.
“We want to ensure that people who were and still are affected [by previous government policies] are healing,” he said.
He added that QIA wants to ensure the programs it delivers help those who are still in the healing process 50 to 60 years later.
On Oct. 7, QIA confirmed it received $25.75 million from the federal government for the second instalment of funding toward the Qikiqtani Truth Commission’s final report and recommendations.
The same day, QIA announced the Government of Canada had signed on to commit further funding to the commission’s report, through an addendum to the original memorandum of understanding.
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is seeking $31 million for that final investment.
Programs currently being developed or instituted by the QIA include distributing early childhood Inuktitut learning material, sponsoring the Nunavut Quest dogsled race, and hosting healing gatherings.
With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, implementing some programs has been easier as well, Akesuk said.
He used the example of the Nunavut Quest dogsled race being held again after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic.
For the final investment, the $31 million the QIA is seeking is currently going through the federal process, Akesuk said.
“I think it’s important that we use that money to make sure these 25 recommendations are implemented in the next 10 to 20 years,” he said of the final installment.
The department of Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is currently reviewing the QIA’s proposal for a final investment, department spokesperson Nicolas Moquin said to Nunatsiaq News in an email.
Its sorta like giving the plans of a nuclear reactor to a child.
The real question is how far into the future can they expect to perpetuate this ‘make believe’ economy?
Just a thought; different Inuit organizations are getting money and some of it are used for healing programs/workshops, which is great, but there should be some coordination so that these programs have the maximum effect as possible. As a Beneficiary and from a generation that travelled by dog team, I am happy that additional money will be made available for the on-going healing journey of Inuit and their families.
My healing comes from God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I aint an “extremist Christian. It doesn’t cost anything except a few minutes of your time. That’s only me.
There’s somewhere around 15,000 Inuit in Qikiqtaaluk, of that more than 6,000 are under the age of 14. QIA got more than $20 million in 2019, $25.75 million now, and expects another $31 million in the last installment, for a total of somewhere around $77 million. If $77 million was divided up among 9,000 people, that’s almost $9,000 for every single individual. That’s pretty significant, let’s hope it’s not wasted.
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We could also mention that in fiscal 2020, QIA’s wages and benefits were $8.9 million, their operating costs were $9.8 million, and their program assistance was $7.7 million. Sooooo it took them $18.7 million to dish out $7.7 million. Let’s say we’re not hopeful.