Nunavik commissioners defend work against Popert’s attack

KUUJJUAQ — The revelations about trouble within the Nunavik Commission have led to escalating volleys of criticism.

Last week, commissioner Annie May Popert shared her misgivings about the commission’s recommendations for a new regional government for Nunavik, saying the commission has been stifling debate about the right of Quebec Inuit to self-determination.

Popert had released a series of letters to the commission’s co-chairs, in which she accused the Quebec government of imposing pre-conditions on any Nunavik government that would limit the Inuit right to remain in Canada if Quebec were to secede.

Makivik Corporation’s president, Pita Aatami, said he couldn’t condone Popert’s public laundering of her concerns about the commission’s report and its work.

Aatami is upset that Popert broke ranks, and chose to “jump the gun,” before he’d even had a chance to read the report himself.

The commission’s co-chairman, Harry Tulugak, was also affronted by Popert’s disclosures.

“It is very disappointing to see her break this confidentiality,” Tulugak said.

Tulugak called Popert’s public discussion of the commission’s work and report “premature and ill-advised.”

He wasn’t surprised by her speaking out, but he said he’s not willing to scrap the commission’s work simply because one member doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the others.

“The commission still exists, and it can’t and will not be destroyed by any individual,” Tulugak said. “The commission as a whole has a responsibility and a mandate, and it will see the mandate to the end. Nunavimmiut are expecting a report, and they will get one.”

The commissioners’ report, which is currently being translated, will be tabled at Makivik’s annual general meeting in Kuujjuaraapik during the first week of April.

Tulugak’s advice is for Nunavimmiut to “see it, read it and digest it,” before making a decision.

Tulugak hinted Popert may not be welcome to join the other commissioners at the meeting when they table their final report.

Co-chairman André Binette, who came under fire by Popert for having a separatist bias, is expected to be there.

That’s despite Binette’s own frustration with Popert and relations with the Nunavik Commission.

In February he wrote all the commissioners that he had “informed the government of Quebec that one of the Inuit members of the Commission was obstructing the work of the Commission and was hostile to Quebec.”

“I decided at that time that I would not sit with this commissioner again, while I would play an active role in the drafting committee in order to provide a full draft report to the commission and to allow the process to continue. I informed the members of the drafting committee of this decision in December. I believe it was, and remains, the proper decision under the circumstances,” Binette wrote.

Binette declined further comment to Nunatsiaq News.

“The report is the response,” Binette said.

As Popert went public last week, she also became a target for criticism.

Others implied she intended to undermine the commission’s deliberations right from the start. They suggested she’s nothing more than a puppet of Cree lawyers or the Kativik School Board, which has, in the past, expressed doubts over a Nunavik government.

A few dismissed Popert’s comments because her home base is in Ontario and she is not a full-time resident of Nunavik.

Many in Nunavik have, however, apparently listened to Popert’s concerns with interest and synpathy. Popert said she had received many calls of support.

“I’m very happy with Annie. Her actions speak well,” said Inukjuak’s mayor, Siasi Smiler. “It’s good, we need someone to question. This is important.”

Smiler said she had expected the commissioners to work harmoniously together. Since receiving copies of letters written by Popert to the commission, Smiler said she has been urging her fellow mayors to attend the Makivik meeting in Kuujjuaraapik and learn more about the dispute.

“She’s not afraid to voice her concerns,” said one man about Popert. “I think she has some very grave concerns to express. If these allegations have any grounds, we have some serious problems to consider. The commission and its work should be halted until further investigation.”