Mary Simon treated badly at Makivik AGM

It is not our tradition to be unwelcoming towards our fellow Inuit. That is exactly what happened to Mary Simon when she had questions for the Nunavik negotiators at the Makivik Corp. Annual General Meeting last week.

I really feel that the negotiators (Minnie Grey, Harry Tulugak and Maggie Emudluk) should never let Pita Aatami or anyone else answer self-government questions.

I am tired of hearing elected representatives accusing concerned citizens of not wanting self-government. Stop twisting their words and start listening to their concerns.

We know everyone will vote at the end and we all know what the question will be. “Do you want self-government, YES or NO?”

Of course, we want our own government. Concerns, comments, discussions, and debates must be welcome and be out in the open, so that we do not surrender our rights once again.

I was shocked when Pita Aatami, the president of Makivik Corp., commented on the fact that Mary has not been a resident of Nunavik for many years and that she is out of touch. I could not believe that such a personal comment was let go. No elected delegates intervened and stopped him.

It showed that the president did not support or respect Mary in running or being elected. There should not be any interference when people run for office.

Only after the election results did we hear Pita congratulating Mary for her efforts and accomplishments. It was way too late. It was very obvious that Mary was not welcome anymore.

I am certain that if a comment like this were made to the president, or to the delegates, that it would be unacceptable. Why was it acceptable then?

Earlier in that week, we had heard Pita giving his full support and respect to Guy St-Julien, the Liberal MP for Abitibi-Baie-James and Nunavik, reassuring him that he would vote for him again.

Delegates then applauded his work and the help he gave our region after his speech. What about our own Inuk who did exactly that and much more for her own people? All I am saying is that no elected representative supported Mary at that time before the election.

We know Mary has been away. She was serving Nunavimmiut while she was away. I am very proud of her and of her accomplishments. Perhaps she intimidated everyone with her success.

It was very bad that Pita made Mary upset by commenting that she does not know what we are doing now. We heard Mary for five minutes, responding upset, as though Pita had wanted it. That five minutes made many voters’ change their minds, forgetting the amount of work she has done for her people.

If we measure her experiences and accomplishments, we cannot even compare it to any other elected people at this time.

There should be a policy about who says what during election-time. Too many personal comments are still acceptable. I feel that a good representative should be able to be on both sides, because we will always have different opinions. I believe that a good elected representative does not go on anyone’s side.

I am disappointed that Mary was not elected, since she has done tremendous work, and the fact that she is a woman and dedicated her whole life serving the Inuit all over the north. We have lost the opportunity to see what she could have offered to us.

Nakurmiik.

Sarah Airo
Kuujjuaq