Seeking other partnerships is about opportunities, not relationship with Canada, Obed says
ITK president clarifies earlier comments as Inuit and federal leaders discuss Arctic priorities in Kuujjuaq
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed says Inuit need great opportunities, clarifying his June 19 comments about seeking other partnerships if they are not respected by the federal government. (Photo by Dominique Gené)
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed says his comments he made in June about Inuit seeking other partnerships were not focused on the Inuit relationship with Canada but on pursuing opportunities with partners who share their interests.
“What we need are good partners, and we need great opportunities,” Obed, the head of the national voice for Inuit in Canada, told reporters in Kuujjuaq Tuesday.
But during ITK’s June 19 Arctic Security Conference in Ottawa, Obed said Inuit should seek other partners if they’re not respected by the federal government.
On Tuesday, following a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney as well as with Inuit leaders in Kuujjuaq, Obed clarified those earlier remarks, while speaking to reporters.
“We are proud Canadians. We are first Canadians and Canadians first,” he said.
He said the federal government discussed its role as a partner with Inuit during Tuesday’s meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, adding that Inuit could forge future partnerships with private industry or other governments, depending on shared interests.
Carney made a one-day trip to Kuujjuaq to meet with Inuit leaders to advance their shared priorities for Canada’s Inuit regions, including Arctic development and infrastructure and Inuit participation in decision-making.
He was joined by six federal cabinet ministers, including Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, Defence Minister David McGuinty, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty and Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand.
It was the first time a prime minister had visited Kuujjuaq since 2008 when Stephen Harper was in Nunavik’s biggest community.
Discussions also covered improving living conditions in Inuit Nunangat — the Inuit homeland in Canada — including housing, food security, reforming the Nutrition North subsidy program, eliminating tuberculosis and the future of the Inuit Child First Initiative.
Obed said he expects to see progress on the commitments made in the months ahead.
“But as for today, it was a great step in the right direction,” he told reporters.
Following the meeting, Carney participated in a community event on the grounds of Isuarsivik, an addiction recovery and healing centre in Kuujjuaq.
He was greeted with throat singing and musical performances, shared traditional Inuit food with attendees, and was presented with an Inuit harpoon.
Kativik Regional Government chairperson Maggie Emudluk, left, poses for a photo with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Nancy Etok, right, the regional councillor for Kangiqsualujjuaq. Carney was in Kuujjuaq Tuesday for a meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee. (Photo by Dominique Gené)
“Inuit relationship with Canada”?
There is no such thing as Inuit relationship with Canada
beyond all Canadian citizens have equal rights, regardless of ethnicity… OR that ethnic groups who are citizens of other countries are citizens of those countries.
Is it that ITK and its members are suggesting that they are not Canadian citizens and as such are waiving all rights that accrue to Canadian citizens?
If only! When the courts and legal are called upon the obvious and simple turns to be the foggy and complex. Those with the deepest pockets win. In international affairs the largest army and economy (USA) imposes its will with corporate direction. In the real world it is how things are. There is progress being made with coalitions of like minded states that stand for good and right vs a world where the corporate entities have their own way regardless of the costs to peoples and our collective freedoms. The press being largely owned as it is by said corporations has been reduced to a partner in crime vs a defender of freedoms and rights. There are big changes coming and none too soon 🙂