QIA to hold AGM in Iqaluit next week

MICHAELA RODRIGUE
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — Baffin region land claim beneficiaries will be able to get a look at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s books next week.

The association will hold its annual general meeting at Iqaluit’s Parish Hall next week from Oct. 4-6.

During the meeting, audited financial statements from last year will be released, and board members will be asked to approve the QIA’s 1999-2000 budget. Last year’s financial statements for the Kakivak Association and the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation will also be released.

As well, QIA’s board of directors and members of the public will hear presentations people ranging from Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik to representatives of the RCMP.

Regular members of the association are also expected to raise their own issues, said Ooleepika Ikkidluak, the QIA’s communications officer.

“We always try to encourage the public to come in. And we also have allotted time for members’ concerns to be raised by any beneficiary. It’s anticipated that there will be some people coming in to raise some concerns to the general assembly,” Ikkidluak said.

During the meeting, QC President Jerry Ell will suggest that some of the corporation’s profits be funneled into a new trust fund to help pay the travel costs for companions of medical patients. The fund could also be used to bring families together for funerals, Ell said.

Currently, QC makes donations to people who need help, but Ell said a trust fund would have more tax advantages. Because a fund would be created using QC earnings, the development corporation’s taxable earnings would drop, he said.

“Last year we paid over $300,000 in corporate taxes and I’d much rather see that going to the region, helping out the Inuit directly,” Ell said. Ell will recommend that QIA direct the development corporation to create such a trust.

Ell said both QC and the Kakivak Association will make presentations outlining their work on directives received from the QIA and what direction they’re headed in, Ell said.

Administrative issues, such as staffing, will be dealt with during a separate meeting of the boards of QIA, QC, and Kakivak Association on Thursday and Friday.

During this year’s AGM, an elders director and a youth director will be appointed by the board.

The meeting will be the last before Pauloosie Keyootak’s position as president and Paul Amagoalik’s position as acting vice-president go out for election in December.

Elections are also scheduled for all but six representatives from the Baffin communities.