Okalik defends Inuit-first education policies

Premier Paul Okalik “can be counted on” to support the current policy that offers extra financial assistance to Inuit students, “as long as the Inuit in this territory remain behind in employment and education levels.”

The firm words silenced the legislative assembly last Thursday, as Okalik responded to two MLAs who had asked questions about policies that appear to discriminate against non-Inuit applying for student summer jobs or financial aid.

“I do not, in any way, shape, or form, feel any guilt whatsoever for trying to help my fellow Inuit to catch up with the rest of the population in getting the best education possible,” Okalik said.

“To somehow twist this very positive effort that we are trying to carry out, or say that we are discriminating, is not an accurate reflection of this wonderful program.”

Hunter Tootoo, MLA for Iqaluit Centre, interrupted the applause to call a point of order.

“He is implying that some members of this house are twisting and implying that the program is discriminatory,” Tootoo said in a shaky voice. “In no way, shape or form was any implication made as far as discrimination in the program.”

On May 18, Tootoo said that making non-Inuit students wait indefinitely for unfilled student summer jobs was “simply unfair.”

Last week, Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson posed questions about the supplementary allowance available to Inuit students, and made an appeal for non-Inuit students to be treated the same, citing himself as an example of a non-Inuk who put his education “to good use” for Nunavut.

Speaker Jobie Nutarak later ruled there was no point of order, and suggested that Tootoo make a statement to clarify his position.

Tootoo promptly did, stating that he had made no allegations of discrimination, and that he would not “apologize for asking questions that cause some discomfort.”

“We can leave for a later date the question of whether such supplementary support should be provided to any student, of any ethnicity who comes from a family with a comfortable income,” Tootoo said.