New leaders, no problem: GN, NTI renew commitment to work together
Premier John Main is 1 month into role; NTI’s presidential election was December 2024
Premier John Main and acting Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Paul Irngaut, seen at an announcement in June, say they’re focused on working together as the territorial government and Nunavut Inuit organization renew a collaboration agreement. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
The Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. have renewed an agreement the two organizations signed in 2022 to collaborate and further the implementation of the Nunavut Agreement.
Premier John Main and acting NTI president Paul Irngaut signed the renewal Tuesday, the GN and NTI announced in a joint news release.
“The Government of Nunavut remains committed to meaningful collaboration and alignment of shared priorities with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.,” Main said in the release.
“Supporting the well-being of Inuit is at the core of our collective efforts under this partnership. We look forward to advancing this important work.”
The renewal comes at a time of leadership change for both the GN and NTI.
Main is one month into his new role as Nunavut’s premier. Irngaut is filling as NTI president while Jeremy Tunraluk is on leave, facing an assault charge before the courts. Tunraluk himself was elected president of NTI a year ago, on Dec. 10, 2024.
Nunavut’s status as a territory is a result of the Nunavut Agreement, signed in 1993. The agreement, which is still in the process of implementation, gives Inuit rights over their land.
Earlier this year, the federal government committed $1.5 billion to help implement the Nunavut Agreement.
One notable outstanding provision of the agreement is the Nunavut Land Use Plan, which would lay out which parts of the territory can be developed and what will be protected from development.
Both Main and Irngaut made statements last month emphasizing the need to prioritize collaboration between the GN and NTI.
The 2022 agreement, which was signed by then-premier P.J. Akeeagok and NTI president Aluki Kotierk, formed the Nunavut Partnership Committee. That committee brings the GN, NTI and regional Inuit organizations together to identify and take action on shared goals and issues.
“Inuit lives will improve through working in constructive, creative and accountable partnership with government,” Irngaut said in Tuesday’s release.
“We are stronger and more efficient when working together.”
Yes good, like I said before United we stand Divided we fall.
For over 25 years Nunavummiut have seen numerous GN-NTI MOUs or agreements or commitments to work together but anyone who is with either entity knows that the willingness to work together has rarely happened. There has been deep seated mistrust and/or lack of respect on both sides. Usually there is banal photo ops, pretending that there is a partnership. Usually only when the GN is attempting to dump responsibility or can’t/won’t invest in major projects. Ho Hum.
I hope you’re giving advice to GN and NTI on how to move forward
More things change…more they remain the same. Not a month into the new GN and the Photo-ops start. How many times is the GN and NTI going to sign agreements to work together???
In the world I live in, you are not cooperating or working together with someone if you are taking them to court, spending $100’s of thousands of dollars of Taxpayer money on legal fees which could be spent on much more important things…like perhaps; Food Security, Healthcare, Social Services, Housing, etc., etc… But hey Nunavummiut don’t worry about that, a good old photo-op and a worthless document will make everything better.
Nunavummiut deserve so much better than this nonsense.
The NTI headquarters and Government Building are located directly across from each other. Why spend thousands of dollars on travel when agreements can be signed locally? Is the goal photo opportunities or in hopes of getting free Caribou meat? Didn’t NTI already spend over a millions dollars on the new President’s house who is on unpaid leave but still living in luxury?
NTI leader barely lasted a month, new NTI owned hotel in iqaluit barely has any Inuit staff, this is the reality of Nunavut. Birth right org that should be setting the example doing exactly the opposite. But sure lets Sew Gn for not meeting 85% employment target when new inuit own hotel barely has 5% inuit staff?
Thats not what NTI sued to GN for.
Same old statements, new faces and no action. Seriously, the tragedy of Nunavut is tha tpeople running our institutions are a bunch of “policy” people, inebriated with a government mentality who believe that developing a “strategy” document and “MOUs” and “agreements” is the ultimate outcome. Nobody seems to be committed to actually rolling up their sleeves and getting things done. No disrepeect to Mr Main because I believe he is an action man but I am afraid that his counterpart is far far away from meeting the basic tenets of leadership.
The real tragedy of Nunavut is that after 25 years its institutions are still run by Inuit who don’t have the education, skills or experience to successfully run a bath. Everyone else ends up paying for the inevitable chaos.
I find this signing premature. There is no government mandate with the newly elected MLA’s
MLA’s are elected by the people. No input or agreement from our non cabinet members. No consensus. Seems like regular MLAs have no voice.
Regular MLAs are a majority ! Use your vote! Don’t be idle
BS
When Jeremy Tungaluk was elected, there was going to work on mental health to inuit. But still nothing.