Self-rule no “magic solution” for Nunavik, Kelley warns

Geoff Kelley, Quebec’s new minister of native affairs, plans to travel to Nunavik this week for the annual general meeting of Makivik Corporation in Akulivik.

Quebec premier Jean Charest named Kelley to the native affairs post during a cabinet shuffle several weeks ago. That means Kelley, who replaces Benoit Pelletier, inherits the Nunavik region’s tricky self-government file.

And although Kelley may be fresh to the native affairs portfolio, he’s not new to Nunavik, having visited many times since 1991, when he traveled to Kuujjuaq for the first time.

When he’s in Akulivik, he’s expected to speak and talk about negotiations for an agreement-in-principle on a form of self-government for Nunavik.

Kelley said Charest’s government, which was elected two years ago, intends to continue working according to all the agreements signed by the previous Parti Québécois government, because there is a “general commitment” from the current Liberal government to move forward on self-government for Nunavik.

“It’s just the how-to and putting the various elements in place. Certainly, we were encouraged when the school board dropped its opposition to the proposal because that was awkward for everybody. It’s always awkward when one part of government takes another to court,” Kelley said.

But the Liberal government generally has a slow-track vision for self-government in Nunavik.

“We have to see arriving at self-government as a series of small steps. For people who like to sprint, jog or take big steps, perhaps they’ll be frustrated with the rate,” Kelley said in an interview from Quebec City.

“But we’re walking in the right direction. I think we can come up with programs and solutions that will continue to build on the progress that has already been made in the 14 northern villages.”

Liberals support a form of self-government that is based more on organizational changes than on flag-waving.

“We want things that work. We want schools where Inuktitut language customs are preserved and enhanced. We want to make sure the elderly in the communities are looked after,” Kelley said.

Kelley said Nunavik may move more slowly towards increased self-government than many want due to tight finances. Quebec is faced with growing unrest in southern Quebec, particularly among students in the South who are demonstrating in the streets for more financial aid.

Because of that, he said it’s hardly the moment to commit millions to self-government re-organization and infrastructure in Nunavik.

No matter what the pace, Kelley doesn’t think self-government can be a “magic solution” for the region’s social and economic problems – and he said Nunavimmiut risk being disappointed if they think that way.

“Obviously you’d like the whole territory of Quebec to be suicide-free and murder-free, but many communities have problems that we have to deal with,” Kelley said. “I don’t think it’s just up to government. There’s a role for the communities to play and try, as human beings, to strengthen family and community bonds as well. Often these things go right to community and family values and are beyond the reach of government.”

Every time he returns to Kuujjuaq, Kelley said he’s able to see changes that show positive progress is occurring, but “maybe not fast enough for everyone’s taste.”

To move things along, Quebec plans to renew its infrastructure and social housing construction programs in Nunavik. There’s also the promise of a separate provincial riding for Nunavik by about 2010.

As native affairs minister, Kelley said he sees his future role as a “bridge-builder” between the government, First Nations and Inuit.

“The distance from native communities to the Grande Allée [Quebec City’s main street] is both physically and psychologically great, so if I can go speak to a colleague and get a file moved from the bottom of the pile to the top of the pile, then I can help promote that,” Kelley said.

Michel Létourneau, who represents the Ungava riding in Quebec’s legislature and is also the aboriginal affairs critic for the Parti Québécois, said Kelley will have his work cut out.

“For Quebec, it’s essential to have good relations with its 11 native nations. The new minister for aboriginal affairs must regain the ground lost since Apr. 14, 2003,” Létourneau said in a news release following Kelley’s nomination as minister.