Makivvik Corp. presidential candidate Suzy Kauki wants to use her experience working in the justice system to improve life in Nunavik. (Photo courtesy of Suzy Kauki)
Makivvik candidate Suzy Kauki wants to fix Nunavik’s justice system
Presidential hopeful believes justice, health and education systems are interconnected; improving one makes them all better
Nunatsiaq News is publishing profiles of the three candidates for Makivvik Corp. president ahead of the organization’s 2024 election.
Makivvik Corp. presidential candidate Suzy Kauki says she has a three-pronged approach to solving issues in Nunavik: Adapt the justice system to recognize the needs of Inuit, improve education, and fix health care.
All three systems are closely related and by improving one, she said, they can all be made better.
“They are all connected,” Kauki, 34, said in a phone interview, adding her main focus would be the justice system.
Kauki studied for five years at Carleton University in Ottawa in legal studies and sociology. Now she works at the Kativik Regional Government as a socio-judicial services co-ordinator.
“We do not have a justice system in Nunavik, the system we have is from Abitibi-Témiscamingue that has been imposed on Nunavik,” she said.
She noted the incarceration rate of Indigenous people in Canada is disproportionately high compared to the wider population.
She also referred to a federal law passed in 2019 — known then as Bill C-92 — to help Indigenous children across Canada remain connected with their families by allowing Indigenous communities to develop their own child welfare policies and laws.
The bill was enacted as law in 2019, but in 2022 Quebec appealed it, arguing that parts of it are beyond federal powers. The matter is currently before the Supreme Court of Canada.
“Bill C-92 has made a difference in nine different First Nation communities across this province, to the point we were able to diminish foster care placements by 10 per cent,” Kauki said.
She believes that one way to regain power in the justice system is to revive the Nunavik Inuit Justice Task Force. Formed around 1990, the task force was a response to how Nunavik Inuit were not adequately consulted on issues concerning the administration of justice.
Kauki said “I was two years old when it was created, now I am 34 and it is still not being used.”
She said the education system could be improved by promoting Inuit values and providing more aid for post-secondary students moving out of the communities.
For the health system, she wants to make available more lawyers who deal in medical issues, as a way to reduce instances of medical malpractice and patients receiving late diagnoses.
Also running for president of Makivvik Corp. are Harry Tulugak and incumbent Pita Aatami.
Wanting to acquire new buzzword: de-colonization.
“She said the education system could be improved by promoting Inuit values”
such cultural (and racial) arrogance
“She said the education system could be improved by … providing more aid for post-secondary students moving out of the communities.”
such blatant disconnect to the rest of the country / world
“For the health system, she wants to make available more lawyers … as a way to reduce instances of medical malpractice and patients receiving late diagnoses.”
so manipulative, deceptive and myopic in its appeal to those who are vulnerable or have a doctrine of entitlement
Educated
Honest
Transparency
Democracy
Future is bright young Woman👍🏽
please find your own handle…..Eskimo Joe. No originality.
Some younger generation ideas, so true in many ways. All relevant to the Nunavik population. So many mistakes had been had in the past, why not take a chance on this young Inuk? Nunavik young; take this opportunity with someone who can speak your language, her generation can change Nunavik needs what ever they may be. Suzy; if you want the votes, just tell the truth, don’ts play politics, this route is for veterans who had ran out of ideas long ago….Once elected; keep your campaign words. again; old vets likes to have their own way once install, no questions ask…..Power is everything to them; that’s why they keep putting their names to ballot list. This applies to Nunavut MLAs too.
Charlie is behind the door , not voting for her !!!
How does hiring lawyers help fix the limited staff in health centres? Giving more money to post secondary students fixes the education system? Sounds like the solution is throwing more money at the system.
Nunavik is ,a money pit , wonder , how much money is doled out per capita ?
The election should be interesting over there. the population keeps saying of this young lady; too young, no experience. did the old politicians grew up having experience? Experience is earned from younger days to their prime….I have a feeling the $$$ is just to good so politicians want to hang on too their jobs. How much do these high profile top guns are paid today? RIOs, MLAs, CEOs of Orgs in Nunavut and Nunavik. Sad part is majority of runners are running because maybe the pay is very high $$$ ? Old Joe just might ponder going into politics once estimates of earnings are reveled. So few ran for high offices because a goodness of their hearts.
Yes to the above post; KIA Kivalliq, what is your worth for 3 years??? for good measure KIA Kitimeot, and you’re worth per year? Can you two tell? After all we elected you to your positions……
First things first. Inuit still know very little about their legal rights.
This has to be the first concern. Teach Inuit abour their rights. It is also about vs. other peoples rights. They also have the same rights you have.
She was right when she said Makivvik belongs to Nunavimmiut. That seems to have been forgotten along the way over the years.
Glad to have Suzy as someone who will have children’s and elders’ welfare s in mind, and for sure, the women.
These days it’s the well off elite club that bows down to their king, wiping each other’s feet and running as soon as their executives say “boo”!!
The everyday people have been used as puppets, and treated like we have no minds of our own.
I will not vote for her because of her back ground is lacking experiences, hopping jobs to another, Pita has been life term hard working Politician, he still needs to finish his work, don’t waist your time with his opponent, plus I do not want to vote ITN man from Puvirnituq
This is more like KRG’s department.