Job description debate pits Inuit against Qallunaat

PATRICIA D’SOUZA
IN BAKER LAKE

Inuit MLAs took aim at Qallunaat bureaucrats during an emotional discussion of revised job descriptions in the legislative assembly’s committee of the whole this week.

Peter Kilabuk, the former human resources minister, tabled the revised job descriptions in the assembly during the last sitting in Iqaluit.

The document lowers the education requirements of certain positions, and requires human resources staff to take into account life experience when recruiting for senior positions.

Members called for the document to be discussed in committee of the whole, and the process began on Tuesday with Manitok Thompson, the current human resources minister.

James Arvaluk, the MLA for Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour, lamented that many former politicians have had a difficult time finding jobs after their terms in office were over.

“Some Inuit do want to work for the government, but the government is afraid to hire them because they are so powerful.”

Jack Anawak, the MLA for Rankin Inlet North, told the assembly that he doesn’t have the level of education required by most jobs in the Government of Nunavut.

“If it said Grade 12 education is required, I wouldn’t be qualified because I have Grade 8 education.”

The issue was a personal one for many MLAs who have seen the effects of unemployment in their communities and believe that Inuit can do many of the jobs required by government, even though they don’t have the required education.

“I believe many people in my community, perhaps they do not have a specific degree or diploma, but they can do the job,” said Donald Havioyak, MLA for Kugluktutk.

David Iqaqrialu, the MLA for Qiqiktarjuak and Clyde River, said Inuit should receive first priority for jobs.

“I saw Nunavummiut up here who have never had a job within Baker Lake. There are so many jobs here. But once a job ad is open in Baker Lake, I guess they’re going to have to hire from Newfoundland,” he said.

“Inuit here who are able to work in Baker Lake should be hired for those jobs.”

The discussion hit a sensitive point during remarks by Ammituq MLA Enoki Irqittuq. The committee session had gone on for about an hour when Irqittuq leaned into his microphone and told Ed Picco in brusque Inuktitut to put on his earpiece and listen to what he was saying.

Picco complied briefly, and later left the room.

The discussion had not progressed past the introduction stage by press-time this week.