No jobs for beneficiaries?

I’m writing this because I finally have the guts to do it, about my concern for how our Inuit beneficiaries are not being hired for jobs throughout Nunavut, mainly jobs with decision-making authority.

If you take a good look throughout our government and our hamlets and communities, all positions with decision-making power are held by non-beneficiaries who continually make decisions on Nunavut’s behalf. I disagree with that.

It is time we beneficiaries took a stand and make it known that this is unacceptable! Nunavut was created to give opportunities to the beneficiaries of the Nunavut land claims agreement.

Governments at the federal, territorial, and municipal level are not holding to the agreement that was signed in 1993. We Inuit gave up a lot of land for promises that have not been kept by these governments and hamlets. I’m frustrated with how we continuously have to take a step back for non-beneficiaries who make poor decisions on our behalf.

Perhaps things would be different if our leaders in the legislative assembly, hamlet councils, Inuit associations and IPG’s realize the implications of hiring non-beneficiaries, and look out for the betterment of Inuit.

Your board, your government, or your council may have the prerogative to hire whoever they want. However, you are also robbing the Inuit who solely deserve these opportunities. Our beneficiaries are losing millions of dollars a year, and I mean millions, because our beneficiaries are not being hired into positions they solely deserve, be it entry level right up to management, and senior management.

Shouldn’t beneficiaries with the right qualifications, who know our communities and Nunavut as whole, possess that right to govern our people?

Why are we holding on to these individuals who make poor decisions for our communities? It has been 13 years since we signed our land claims agreement, and yes, we have made progress, but if we continue to hire non-beneficiaries for jobs, then our territory is not benefitting anyone, especially the Inuit.

Clara Evalik,
Iqaluit