Nunavut premier invites NTI board to attend part of mandate retreat
Move follows criticisms from NTI’s president that territorial government has failed Inuit
Nunavut’s full caucus of 22 MLAs have been invited to a mandate retreat in Cambridge Bay in December. The board members of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. have also been invited to attend the first day. (Photo by Mélanie Ritchot)
For the first time, Nunavut’s premier is inviting representatives from Inuit organizations to attend part of a planning retreat meant to develop the 16th legislative assembly’s mandate for the next four years.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s board members will attend the first day of the retreat, scheduled to be held in Cambridge Bay from Dec. 6 to 10, according to a news release from the legislative assembly.
Premier P.J. Akeeagok has said he’s committed to working closely with the territory’s Inuit organizations. His appointment followed shortly after NTI passed a resolution to seek Inuit self-government in November. The organization’s president, Aluki Kotierk, said the GN has failed to meet Inuit’s needs.
When asked whether he agreed with this claim and how he will work with Inuit organizations, Akeeagok said partnership is key.
“I very much look forward to meeting with [NTI] to really come openly and to really listen in terms of where we could collaborate,” he said in a Nov. 17 interview.
Kotierk said on social media that she and Akeeagok met on Nov. 22.
“I was pleased to meet with Premier Akeeagok this afternoon to discuss common priorities and how we can work together over the next few years to achieve transformational change for Nunavut Inuit,” Kotierk posted on Twitter.
The mandate retreat will also involve all MLAs as a full caucus, rather than only involving cabinet ministers, as is typical.
That’s something minister Lorne Kusugak proposed during the candidate debate when he was vying for the position of premier.
Joe Savikataaq, the former premier of Nunavut, is the caucus chair in the new government.
“One of the defining features of our non-partisan, consensus style of government in Nunavut is the opportunity for all members to deliberate as equals,” Savikataaq said in the release.
Another non eligible to nti 55 over people.that received monthly check…another one not eligible for what you called residential school …
PARTY TIME,, FREE BOOZE COMING UP
Aluki is lucky they are entertaining her non-sense at all… So be it, this makes for clever politics on the Premier’s part and was a good strategic move.
You might want to check how this self government initiative began. If you may recall, PJ was very heavily involved as QIA president so…
Where would a person ‘check how this began’? This feels a bit like the times when people tell you to “do your research” when they are unable to articulate their point.
NTI has taken over the GN.
PJ was president of QIA until he ran for election, so he was part of NTI.
Duuuh.
People have forgotten that Taptuna government had a full cause retreat in 2014 involving all mls to develop their mandate. So this story is mislead by the new leadership.
Would hardly call Cambay, a place to retreat, but airlines are prolly happy to hear this noise. Way to to for the premier to start burning money.
Our MP is supportive of Inuit self government.
These people are our leaders.
i guess we can stop wearing masks all over nunavut again, the big wigs seems to agree lol
United we stand,divided we fall,way to go leaders.
And once again we see the “not for us” attitude of the elected officials who ignore the direction of the good doctor. The mask mandate applies to you too Mr. Premier. as well as your cohorts. You should be setting the example.
PJ just because you have open up to Inuit Orgs NTI and such, does not mean nti will open up….for instance what is the royalty amount to Qikiktaluuq and kivalliq from the mines that they held with RIOs in privates. Communities most effected at Kivalliq and Baffin should get the most benefit, in terms of $$$ for sure. eskimo joe for KIA Prez….open up RIOs, does nunavut know that RIOs senior executives earn more than PM and the Federal Ministers, wow, I say wow…..