NTI debt to Nunavut Trust a shock to beneficiaries

This letter is in regards to the Nunatsiaq News article on Oct. 7, 2005, about Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. borrowing from the Nunavut land claims fund.

The Nunavut beneficiaries’ land claim funds are being totally jolted around without input or knowledge from the official beneficiaries of Nunavut.

NTI’s borrowing has come to over $100 million and this is a shock to us beneficiaries!

Their salary wages, travel and accommodations are so impossible to believe. We have people (beneficiaries) who are on low income or who are homeless and $111.6 million is spent so carelessly.

How much of the money is spent on our economic and social programs out of the pot? Not much I suppose, as most of it is spent on salaries, travel and administration. There are too many staff in NTI that are not really necessary. There are too many chiefs running our land claims administration. This needs to be reviewed, especially travel, and staff need to be cut.

I am speaking about my own beliefs and whoever else believes this, but I know not everyone agrees or will agree with me. But things need to be said, because I am an Inuk and a full beneficiary.

I believe I have my right to say what is happening with our land claim compensation fund. Koana.

Jeannie Evalik
Cambridge Bay