Qikiqtarjuaq HTO member opposed to Masiliit Corp.

Further to your Jan. 21, 2005 article “Qikiqtarjuaq hunters make deal for their own trawler,” I feel bad about how Qikiqtarjuaq separated from the Baffin Fisheries Coalition, which, in essence, is separating from the Nunavut-wide fisheries initiative.

Despite the HTO’s argument that the Qikiqtarjuaq people are “not fighting the BFC,” the perception is clearly to the contrary.

I also feel bad about how the HTO is handling Masiliit in that the HTO is not protecting itself or Qikiqtarjuaq more by at the very least setting up this corporation with a lawyer of its own.

The HTO is letting the “mysterious” corporate partner to Masiliit handle all the legalities in this corporation without any public consultation or disclosures to the public.

What is the HTO hiding with this non-disclosure? What are they afraid of? Or are they afraid of what the public members of the HTO will do to the HTO board by not having a public consultation as to how the corporation will run? How can the HTO properly run Masiliit when they cannot even get an AGM together? What’s the rush in this corporation and why is it so important to announce it before its registration is complete or before the AGM?

Moreover, how can the HTO succesfully run Masiliit when they cannot even professionally address the “peace mission delegation,” composed of officials from NTI and BFC?

This recent meeting in Qikiqtarjuaq became very hostile and personal at its end, by the HTO members against members of the delegation.

As a result, Masiliit appears more so as being developed personally against the BFC rather than being a decision based solely on business, and professional merits. Where are all the business plans of the HTO substantiating this particular partnership?

Nunavummiut, I feel bad that Qikiqtarjuaq is moving in this direction without Nunavut’s full support and against the collective Nunavut fisheries objectives.

How can Qikiqtarjuaq say that they are proud of Nunavut, when the first chance they get they run away from it, as demonstrated by running away from the BFC?

Leslie Nukiwuak
Qikiqtarjuaq HTO Member