The real issues behind the NNI squabble

Understandably, both sides of the parties squabbling over the NNI policy and the “grandfathering clause” have legitimate concerns.

Generally, it seems Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. is concerned about the government’s compliance with Article 24 of the Land Claims Agreement, the “Inuit hiring policy”. While generally, it seems, the government is concerned about creating undue hardship for companies.

However, I think there are more issues to this other than “grandfathering clauses” and compliance issues that need to be addressed.

Companies, especially construction companies, that are awarded government contracts do hire Inuit or northerners as required by government policies. That’s fine.

My uncle who went to an apprenticeship college for over four years finally received his Journeyperson certificate in January 2001. He often left home to go to Alberta or Fort Smith, NWT, and often left his wife and children several months at a time to finish his courses. He persevered and never gave up hope, even though there were trying times. He often had no money and therefore had no money to send to his family. He’s a natural-born woodsman and enjoys his work.

After he received his certificate, he starting looking for work in his home community. There were few jobs that called for a certified Journeyman. The construction season came and he was hired. The ugly farce of the story is he was paid $12 per hour – the minimum the company paid its general labourers.

The construction company that was awarded the government project was aware of his level of education, but gave him only a $2-an-hour increase. After several months of no change in pay he decided to look for something else. Of course, the community had little to offer.

What can a person in this situation do? Call a government agency to file a complaint? Would this lower pay be even considered a complaint? Should he stay with the job because that’s the only one available?

Inuit will be hired all right. We’ll just not be paid the same. Or be hired for higher levels of positions.

Sandra Omik
Pond Inlet
sandraomik@hotmail.com