Speaker says sorry for law-grad behaviour

Jobie Nutarak, the legislative assembly’s speaker, apologized for his conduct at a graduation dinner held June 21 in Iqaluit to honour Nunavut’s 11 graduating law students, without saying when it happened, where it happened or what he did, much to the bemusement of assembly observers.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to our members today for my conduct earlier this year during an official event at which I was in attendance. I can assure members that I have fully accepted their comments to me on this matter,” Nutarak said on the sitting’s opening day.

Nutarak avoided specifics, but a source, who does not wish to be identified, told Nunatsiaq News that Nutarak’s apology arose from things that happened at the law school graduation dinner.

The elaborate graduation ceremony and dinner, held on National Aboriginal Day, featured guests such as Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, faculty members from the University of Victoria, various Nunavut officials, plus the law students and their families.