ITK stomps on newspaper’s credibility

Sometimes it seems the only real thing about Nunatsiaq News is the paper it is printed on. Granted the ads are real, the letters are from real people, and the columnists are real. Woefully, the reporting and editorials are frequently surreal. The link between editorial comment, and what really happened, is happening, and will happen, most often appears to be a product of the imagination.

The Oct. 3 editorial “Let’s Pretend It’s Real” is a case in point. The editor uses gratuitous and slanderous language to comment on the ITK presidential election, not letting facts get in the way of a “good story.”

The process of holding a delegated election is commonplace in Canadian politics. ITK has used the process since 1997. Most delegated conventions include a mix of elected political leaders and assigned delegates. Granted, the number of delegates at the ITK election (12, and not eight as you incorrectly report) is smaller than most. Readers well know the high costs of travel in the Arctic. ITK’s finances do not permit a large contingent of delegates.

The ITK board of directors is composed of the most respected elected Inuit leaders in the Arctic: Nellie Cornoyea, president of IRC; Cathy Towtongie, president of NTI; Pita Aatami, president of Makivik; William Anderson III, president of LIA; Duane Smith, president of ICC (Canada); Veronica Dewar, president of Pauktuutit; Adamie Padlayat, president of NIYC. The boards of the four regional Inuit organizations (IRC, NTI, Makivik, LIA) select their three voting delegates each to attend the ITK AGM.

Furthermore, ITK is not solely financed by “public money,” as you incorrectly report. We receive funding from private donors, including corporate Canada.

When Pierre Trudeau changed his mind on his leadership in 1979, with considerable persuasion, his decision was greeted differently. It says something when one of the Arctic newspapers continuously derides political leaders and organizations, and opportunistically writes about the more sensational elements of the political process while omitting coverage of substantial issues leaders and organizations grapple with on an ongoing basis.

The ITK board has determined ways of enabling potential candidates to maintain northern links regardless of their location. Additional trips home are available to any eventual ITK president.

Credibility and respect are indeed hard-won intangibles. The editor of Nunatsiaq News should make a concerted effort to link factual events with reality. With time, and effort, credibility and respect may come to the newspaper.

Stephen Hendrie
Director of Communications
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami