Qaqqaq apologizes for telling Labrador MP, ‘Validate your Inuk-ness’

Mumilaaq Qaqqaq and Yvonne Jones air Inuk-identity dispute in public

Nunavut MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, left, posted a video on Twitter Thursday, calling on Labrador MP Yvonne Jones to “validate” her Inuk-ness. (Photos from Twitter/Mumilaaq Qaqqaq and the office of Yvonne Jones, MP)

By Corey Larocque

Nunavut MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq apologized Thursday afternoon after escalating a war of words with her Labrador counterpart Yvonne Jones by demanding the Liberal politician “validate her Inuk-ness.”

“If you are going to claim Inuk identity, then where does your Inuk-ness come from?” Qaqqaq asked in a 33-minute Twitter live video posted on her account Thursday morning.

At 5:30 p.m., she issued an email statement apologizing “for how I handled the situation.”

“Recently, I made comments on Twitter that personally challenged the identity of MP Yvonne Jones. The way that I handled the situation and the way I commented was aggressive and disrespectful and I’m sorry for making them.

Jones had dismissed the video as “immature and naïve” in an interview.

Qaqqaq describes her own ancestry at least six times in the video, naming her parents and grandparents as evidence of her own Inuit ancestry. She said it’s common among Inuit to ask each other about their background and called it a “simple question that, as Inuit, we would be more than willing to answer.”

“So, Yvonne Jones, who is your family? It’s more than OK to share that with us,” Qaqqaq said in the video, in which she repeated the same question at least 10 times.

Her office did not immediately respond to a request for a comment about the video but issued a written statement later in the day.

Jones said the video reflects poorly on Qaqqaq and accused her of “lateral racism” — the bashing of people within the same ethnic group — that’s inconsistent with the NDP’s reputation for inclusiveness. She added Qaqqaq is “clearly uneducated and uninformed” about Inuit in Labrador.

“As parliamentarians, we question each other’s politics. We don’t question each other’s identity,” Jones told Nunatsiaq News.

The dispute between Qaqqaq and Jones has aired out in public since last week, when Qaqqaq replied to a two-year-old tweet to say “Jones is not an Inuk.” She posted the comment within hours of an exchange she and Jones had during question period in the House of Commons.

Jones demanded an apology on Monday in the House of Commons.

Qaqqaq refused to apologize and, in fact, called on Jones to apologize for “wrongfully claiming” to be something she’s not.

“I’m not going to apologize,” Qaqqaq said toward the end of the video. “I know until I am proven otherwise Yvonne Jones is not Inuk.”

Qaqqaq said if Jones can point to her lineage, it would be “a different situation” and she would be “more than willing to admit I was in the wrong.”

“Until you can tell me who your family is and where you come from and how you’re Inuk and validate your Inuk-ness, you have no space to say you’re Inuk. Stop saying you’re Inuk. If a group of people does not claim you, then you are not,” Qaqqaq said.

Jones belongs to the NunatuKavut people, a group that formed after the Nunatsiavut land claim agreement determined the status of some Inuit in northern Labrador. The Nunatsiavut population is approximately 1,500, according to the 2016 census. People who didn’t qualify for that group joined the NunatuKavut group, she said. It represents 6,000 members, its website says.

It’s common for members of the same family to belong to one group or the other based on where they were born and how the fall within the Nunatsiavut land claim agreement, Jones said.

In an interview, Jones said she is “very proud” of both her settler and Indigenous backgrounds.

“I am a descendant of both Inuit and settler in Labrador. My roots go back to the 1800s in identifying my Inuit lineage in Labrador,” she said.

“I grew up in a very traditional culture. I very much practised the traditional way of life,” Jones said, speculating she is one of only a few women MPs with a firearms certificate and a hunting licence.

There have been decades of “confusion” for Inuit in Labrador because a “colonial system” identified people of mixed Inuit and settler ancestry as Métis — a term traditionally used for people of mixed First Nations and European descent.

“That’s where the confusion is,” Jones said. “It was brought on through a colonial system that really didn’t know where Indigenous people lived in this country.”

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(174) Comments:

  1. Posted by Siipu on

    Dear Labrador Inuit , have things changed for better with Jones as a leader ?

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    • Posted by No change here on

      Have Nunavummuit‘s lives changed under Qaqqaq? No!

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    • Posted by Labrador Inuit on

      Ignorance is prevalent in Nunavut!
      So keep your uneducated
      MP for NDP in Ottawa.
      Labrador Southcoast has voted for Ms.Jones!
      We do not require your backward remarks.
      We are from Labrador

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      • Posted by Jay Arnakak on

        I’m from Nunavut and I agree with you; Rigolet is in the southern-most territory of Inuit of Labrador.

        It is very much a linguistically and culturally recognized part of Inuit Nunangat.

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      • Posted by Eugene ßmith on

        So typical ignorance being spread by someone who is jealous of
        Jones inuitness.
        Typical brow beating ignorant NDP are also to blame.
        Resign or lose your seat you dont deserve a pension either someting I had to work for 50 years to get.

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      • Posted by Eskimos Fan on

        Kun-ngu-naq.?

  2. Posted by There Are Better Things to Fight For on

    What will be considered a win? If Jones only has an Inuk grandparent? An Inuk great-grandparent? Labrador was colonized long before Nunavut, time will change blood quantum here too. Stop teaching young Inuit they need a certain lineage in order to embrace their culture.

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    • Posted by Stop The Bullying on

      Also, stop teaching them to denigrate the non-Inuk part of their heritage. Stop bullying and insulting those of mixed-heritage.

      Celebrate the mixed-identity! The number is large and growing.

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  3. Posted by Pork Pie on

    There we are, our unhinged MP, much like a child who can’t regulate emotion, decides to increase the intensity of the tantrum to an ear piercing level. What a grotesque display of immaturity.

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  4. Posted by Censure is needed on

    The NDP needs to step in here and censure the Member from Nunavut, this is not good for their party. Are you listening, Jagmeet?

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    • Posted by No censure needed on

      Nah, don’t stop her. The more she is active on social media. The less chance of her winning in next election. Keep it coming Qaqqaq. It’s entertaining.

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      • Posted by Poison in the well on

        I see your point and definitely hope you are right about her electoral hopes, but I believe we need to think beyond that as well, the sheer amount of toxicity that Mumilaaq has added to our public discourse should concern any serious thinking person. It needs to stop.

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    • Posted by josywales on

      Nunavut please form a “recall legislation” for any Political Candidates that do not qualify or are grossly immature to represent our Territory.

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  5. Posted by Disgraceful on

    As a non Inuit Nunavummuit I can only imagine how my MP feels about me. This is immature, racist and disgraceful. Resign. The NDP needs to remove her from the party.

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    • Posted by Fit To Represent? on

      Yes, she has made it very clear that she represents Inuit, not Nunavummiut. Her biases are so strong it makes me wonder how she can serve.

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      • Posted by Yes on

        Yes, she only cares about representing Inuit even though her mother is non Inuit. Shameful really.

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    • Posted by Uvanga on

      Stop living in Nunavut then.

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      • Posted by Diagraceful on

        I will live wherever I want in Canada and I will not let anyone tell me otherwise. Come at me!

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      • Posted by Siigh on

        Ah yes, the old ‘Go back where you came from trope.”

        You realize how little credibility folks like you have, right?

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        • Posted by Jay Arnakak on

          I’m a full-blood Inuk but because my dad came from another area of Baffin I was regularly threatened with my life by grown, broken men and screamed at ‘to go back to where I came from’ as a child though I was born in the community I grew up in.

          the NDP MP’s trigger some very hurtful memories.

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          • Posted by Forever Amazed on

            You made an interesting comment. I just read on National Post an article about racism: “Only white people can be racist: Inside Global Affairs’ anti-racism course materials”

            On your comment, and I do believe you, is it possible that all people can be racist in some form?

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            • Posted by Jay Arnakak on

              very much, yes.

              I try and go by the dictum: I am human; nothing human is alien to me.

              but we should be crystal clear: Mumilaaq’s comments are no justification for us attacking her mercilessly

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              • Posted by Nunavummiuq on

                I am assuming election will be called by the fall. I think Mumilaaq should start choosing her battles. This is not the type of waste of time I want her fighting for me. We have crisis, housing, mental health, poverty, training and education.

                I don’t really care about Jone’s Inuit or not, I don’t care about the protestors that broke the law. I care about her helping the people in need.

                Mumilaaq, please wake up and think about the bigger picture or step away, let someone who is more experiences take a lead for Nunavummiut that need help.

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                • Posted by boris pasternak on

                  for sure she’s not qualified to be MP for our riding in this vast land we call Nunavut. where are the likes of Jack Layton or Tommy Douglas when you need one. I will not be voting if she stays on as NDP candidate in the next general election. What other choices do we have? Liberal-PC? (give us a break). Even now we need a caliber of Ed just to survive as party up here, we got scammed BIG time…hope you read northern papers Jagmeet, I think you’re about to lose a seat in Nunavut, unless…

            • Posted by Standard Human Sadly on

              People who write these ‘only white people can be racist’ stories need to live on n some other, non-caucasian majority countries.

              Wicked racism is the norm, and celebrated, on much of this planet.

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        • Posted by Misc on

          I think maybe you mean “tripe”. I myself prefer “flapdoodle”.

  6. Posted by Anonymous on

    So Jones won’t clarify her background. Sounds fishy.
    Sound like someone who claimed Metis, didn’t get enough traction so now claims Inuk.
    Doesn’t smell right.
    I stand with Mumilaaq on this one. Inuit have had enough trauma. They don’t need or deserve Jones’ silliness on top of that!!!!

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  7. Posted by Tantrum on

    My MP is clearly a graduate of the Genghis Khan school of relationship management.

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  8. Posted by Go Nunavut – Is this who we Are? on

    We are so lucky to be represented by this MP, her babbling on twitter was utterly pathetic and the amount of times she repeated herself makes me wonder about the condition she was in during the video.
    It is unimaginable that the NDP officials would let this continue as Nunavut gets embarrassed by this MP.
    We are in the middle of a pandemic and this is the best you can give us MP?
    Resign so that a real person can lead as the MP for Nunavut.

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  9. Posted by few toonies and a nickel on

    Nice to see everyone has their priorities straight as the pandemic rages through Iqaluit and Cape Dorset.

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  10. Posted by Jackie Saunders adey on

    This is correct!
    I too don’t think she is Inuit.!

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  11. Posted by Manapik on

    I have grandchildren that don’t look Inuit but are still Inuit, I also have nieces and nephews that don’t look Inuit. We all live on one earth.

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    • Posted by That’s not the point… on

      It’s not about looks. For NLCA, to be enrolled you need to not only think of yourself as Inuk but recognized by an enrolment committee. This is not the case with Yvonne Jones.

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      • Posted by No Moniker on

        It looks like Mumilaaqs hapless band of woke Twitter warriors has cross the virtual Rubicon and is invading the Nunatsiaq comments section with this one.

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      • Posted by The Point Is on

        That the NLCA has zero to do with anything in this case.

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      • Posted by Oh really? on

        You have to think about yourself as an Inuk to be enrolled? So, those babies who get enrolled by their parents, do they get interviewed to make sure they think of themselves as Inuit? Or is a written statement from the baby sufficient?

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        • Posted by Nice try with your rebuttal on

          It’s the wording in the land claims agreement. So get out of here with that attitude.

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          • Posted by Oh really? on

            You stopped reading at 35.3.1. The very next section states “…the guardian of a person who in consequence of legal disability is unable to identify himself or herself as an Inuk may identify that person as an Inuk.” You know, just like it says in the wording of the NLCA.

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    • Posted by NUNAVIMIUK on

      When , i start talking to other inuks , people are suprised and i always hear , ” i thought you were qalunaq. Grandpa worked for the HBC and grandma was born in a tent on the Ungava coast

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    • Posted by Uvanga on

      I am qallunaaq and a quarter Inuk. I have one inuk grand parent and 3 non Inuit grand parents who I would never deny just because I have a portion of me as inuk. I am me and I don’t feel like I need to fight to be one or the other beacause I am me that grew up in a small town like all my grand parents white and inuk. People only fighting for the riches fight to be part of race that will benefit them. As part inuk, nothing in the south will benefit me but some special occasions for the Inuit or the scots.

  12. Posted by Is or isn’t on

    Everyone is eager to know is Yvonne or isn’t? Bring more light on this. I know alot of people who claim NLCA Beneficiary status and should not. Help aboriginals bring this issue that needs to be brought up.

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    • Posted by terry on

      Enough, of this talk,QQ IS A TRAINWRECK.

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    • Posted by Not even on

      No, not everyone is eager, only Mumilaaq’s army of trolls

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  13. Posted by Disgusted on

    Hey guess what, Yvonne doesn’t owe you anything

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    • Posted by Actually on

      Yes she does.

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      • Posted by Tell us more on

        Prove it then, let’s see your street creds

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  14. Posted by Oh wow on

    Qaqqaq’s immaturity is shining through…time to step down once and for all.

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  15. Posted by I watched the video on

    I watched the video. Mumilaaq, please get help. Even if you’re right in this argument, the way you went about it was incredibly vindictive. You seem to almost enjoy tearing her down.
    .
    The way you kept repeating things over and over reminded me of my mother when she’d drink. I avoid bars because people will sometimes corner me and keep repeating things until I just leave. That’s what i did when I watched your video. I just turned it off because I felt like it was me being bullied, not Jones.
    .
    My mother was incredibly kind person, but she had her demons. I’m not sure what you’re demons are, but you need to face them and stop digging yourself deeper and deeper into this petty nonsense.

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  16. Posted by Reality on

    If we didn’t divide people up by race, then there would be no reason to claim “status” that you don’t have. Race-based benefits are stupid in a modern society, and in the big picture, even the beneficiaries don’t live a better life from having all the extra support, it probably makes things worse for them. We all have ancestors, and they are who they are, and nobody should get special treatment based on who we are descended from in a modern world.

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    • Posted by Half Baked Inuk on

      Then let your white government let our government fully manage our lands and royaltie. These benefits are scraps to what is under the ground up here.

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      • Posted by You must be half baked on

        You mean the resources under the ground that Inuit consistently try to block mining operations? Or think selling it to China is a good idea?

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  17. Posted by I see now on

    Is it that Jones is not Inuk enough or that she is ‘too white’?
    .
    This is where identity politics lead. It is very dangerous.

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    • Posted by Bridge Burner on

      Jones works for Dan Vandal, the Minister of Northern Affairs, who will have the final say on phase 2 of the Baffinland project. If it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t be talking about this. Remember that when you see all the troll comments above pretending that this is some kind of serious organic issue around the appropriation of identity, what it really should be understood as is a grotesque form of political intimidation.

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      • Posted by I see now on

        KBecause she plays identity politics, she devolves to the childlike associating of Baffinland with white people, so it must be bad. If you support mining and jobs, you’re not Inuk apparently.

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        • Posted by No Moniker on

          Absolutely, the language and epistemology around social justice and identity politics casts the world into simplistic binaries between oppressed and oppressor, good vs evil. A large corporation is ‘a priori’ bad because ‘colonialism’ and its connections to ‘Europeans’ etc, etc… there is no nuance to be found here. And if you are an Inuk who supports the mine you are likely ‘colonized’ or unaware of your oppression, or some other reductive non-sense that suggests you are not a ‘real Inuk’ after all.

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  18. Posted by Cold island bear on

    I dont care about race or anything but your own people should be in charge of your own land and people.
    Bloodline should or be made to be like 80% or more.
    Be like Nunavut and try replace workforce with inuit.
    Notice how she avoids the answering the question?
    Inuit would have gotten annoyed and answered right away but she didnt. LOL

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    • Posted by Oh really? on

      Eighty percent, huh? That means if one grandparent was not Inuk, you’re out of the club. So do you want to tell Tanya Tagaq, Aluki Kotierk, PJ Akeeagok, Jordin Tootoo, and Hunter Tootoo they’re not Inuit?

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  19. Posted by Darren on

    Our ancestors fought a long hard battle AGAISNT blood quantums because they saw how it turned people agaisnt their own people for other treaty groups. Now instead of being the ones doomed to be bred out of existence we can ONLY grow. Show some respect to these wise leaders of ours and stop demanding we all “prove” our inukness to each other. This isnt just Qaqqaq this is a problem we have in Inuit society where many of us are made to feel less Inuk or not Inuk enough when we feel we are one-in-the-same and proudly try to make things better for our people.

    There is nothing wrong with genuinely inquiring about someones family history, so go and talk with her! People today are too quick to put every thought they have on social media when a simple one-on-one conversation would be far more constructive.

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  20. Posted by Louisa Broomfield on

    Jones you are a joke! Stop claiming you are an Inuit person. It is a slap in the face to us Inuit who had (our grandparents and ancestors before us ) and still have strong Inuit blood and a history to go along with that precious recognition as a people. You are only “identifying” as an I hit so that you can have benefits from the federal government.

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  21. Posted by Desmond Canning on

    Hey there,

    My Name is Desmond Canning and I can testify to Yvonne Jones being Inuk and her family both settler and Inuit residing in traditional Inuit territory. Jones comes from Mary’s Harbour adjacent to Battle Harbour or Catuttu and the homeland of the Putlavimiut or people of the dangerous waters. Nearby in 1765 her ancestors like mine were present at the British Inuit treaty in nearby Chateau Bay. A couple years later a prominent Inuk names Mikak was captured and would aid the Moravians Mission to establish themselves In the 1890s the Bowdoin expedition took photographs of the nearby Inuit village of Fox Harbour. There is a continue presence of Inuit in Southern Labrador.
    When it comes to Inuit identity its complex. The moravian mission shunned mixed marriages and mixed people were sometime marganilized because they never fit the Moravian mould of pure Inuit or the settler mould of pure european. So when the Labrador Inuit Land Claims was settled it shunned the southerners and mixed blood people known as kablunagajuit.
    So when it comes to what we called ourselves. We were livyers, labradorians or breeds, eskimo etc. some names places on us by Hudson Bay factors. We identified ourselves as one with the land and in the 1970s when it came to our label we didn’t fit with the moravian Nunatsiavut Inuit and we didn’t fit with the European settler. Western society wished to label us and to represent our dual identity the name Metis was chose being problematic because it represents the nation of central Canada. After years of work was completed it was shown that our people were culturally Inuit and our practices are the same identified in other inuit territories.
    So why does the membership of NunatuKavut get complex? Well my Grandma her father was born adjacent to Nunatsiavut. His birthplace allowed his daughter to be a beneficiary to Nunatsiavut. That is where it stopped not based on Inuit blood quantum but rather location. My Grandmothers mother was from southern labrador descendant from an old Inuit family recorded on the moravian registers in hopedale as Kippenhuck. Our ancestors were highly mobile and not restricted to boundaries. We have many cousins who are members of Nunatsiavut because of where they live.
    I hope in a nutshell it explains the continued Inuit culture within southern Labrador or NunatuKavut.

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    • Posted by Desmond Canning on

      I’m descended from Lydia Campbell an Inuk author and like her diary records “I am what I am” . Her diary also records the oral history relating to mikak and the gold pieces that the Campbells had that came from Mikaks jacket. Lydia also had a seal skin jacket, harpoon and lance which is now in the Bowdoin museum in Maine which I went and viewed a couple years ago. Im so proud of my Inuit heritage no matter how much people try to diminish it.

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  22. Posted by Is this the US? on

    This reminds me of when Trump was asking Obama to produce his birth certificate.

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    • Posted by Absolutely true on

      Funny, but I’ve made this observation about Mumilaaq in the past. I even had a comment deleted by the ever glorious gatekeepers and wondrous managers of public opinion and Nunatsiaq News. Yet the observation was an accurate one and has only continued to prove itself over time. This is very similar in character and it should disturb any serious thinking person who is following this.

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  23. Posted by Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz on

    In society, nothing is LESS important than ancestry; for the individual, NOTHING is more important than ancestry.

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  24. Posted by Fascinating on

    I’m sorry, are you saying Inuit must look and say things a specific way to be Inuit?

  25. Posted by aputi on

    john main is white but hes an inuk he eats raw meat n speaks inuktitut very well he blends in with us

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    • Posted by Uvanga on

      Our own Nunavut land claims can approve him as Inuk for the description you have given him but a full blooded inuk who grew up in BC will not be given the same status due to no affiliation to an Inuit Nunavut community. I am very white looking, speak Inuktitut, don’t feel inuk but I am still part of the Inuit community trying to fight for the very little that we have left. As Inuit, our own blood line in now becoming dominated by non Inuit. Our Inuitness is slowly but surely disappearing . We are an endangered species in Canada.

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  26. Posted by Uvanga on

    I agree with our MP. Jones prove that you are Inuk. If that is so hard for you to do then that speaks for itself. Too many non-indigenous people are claiming to be such so they can get benefits, I suspect that she is not what she says she is.

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  27. Posted by Half Baked Inuk. on

    Nunavut MP should only apologize for the childish approach she took. Instead of putting the onus on Jones she should have released all the research to discredit Jones claim.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.927252

    Very broad enrolment requirements for the group Jones is affiliated with.

    I must assume Jones never met the enrolment criteria for the Nunatsiavut Land Claim Agreement to become a Beneficiary.

    Stop the debate.

    Get a DNA test to determine Jones ancestry. Is she is Inuk she should meet Nunatsiavuts land claim requirements.

    ITKs our national Inuit organization Inuit Nunaat Populations include Inuit living in major urban centres and rural regions. She is probably not included if she ain’t enrolled in any land claim.

    Stop being ignorant. All the information is out there. Develop your own opinions.

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    • Posted by You first on

      “Get a DNA test to determine Jones ancestry. Is she is Inuk she should meet Nunatsiavuts land claim requirements.”
      .
      Why stop there? We should insist on it for all beneficiaries of all the land claims.
      .
      I’m betting the number of “pure blood” Inuit will immediately drop like a rock when those results come in.

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      • Posted by Tommy Bruce on

        I bet you there is approx. .001 percent 100% Inuit in Nunavut.

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        • Posted by Blood? on

          This pure blood concept is really disturbing by the way. I suppose others like me are thinking of Nazi Germany and other places they invaded and the many other places where genocides have taken place over human history including recent history. As well, as someone notes further up, I believe there are at least some Indigenous Peoples who focus on culture rather than blood (probably not all) and I believe that the Indian Act colonial division of people in accordance to their bloodline % has been very destructive by being so divisive. In any event, I was going to refrain from commenting to not increase attention to this sad discourse of both our MP and the Labrador MP. People can be so horrible to each other. Why? Can we not raise concerns in a dignified and respectful manner? I guess not.

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  28. Posted by TGC on

    Nunavik Inuit elders at their annual gathering spoke of the importance of knowing who were your biological parents. That being so adopted children were not regarded as non Inuit. The abuse comes when benefits of claiming indigenous heritage is the reason behind status claim, Inuit and Innu. In years past people regularly shunned being called indigenous as it was taken as being of a lower class if people.

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  29. Posted by OF on

    Watched 5 minutes of her 30 minute rant. This is cringey. Nunatsiaq you guys can report on some real news now not this tabloid style nonsense.

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  30. Posted by Dennis Allen on

    If we know who we are culturally, then we don’t need anyone to validate us. Our ancestors have done that for us, for we descend from them. My grandparents on my dad’s side were Inupiaq Eskimo who came to Canada before there were borders. My grandparents on my mother’s side were Vuntut Gwich’in Indians from Old Crow Yukon. I grew up with influences from both cultures. And I am a richer person for it. For anyone, politician or not, to tell me who I am, is indicative of their insecurities and their fears. They feel they need to protect something that I might take from them. If I say I’m a Purple People Eater, because I grew up with Purple People Eaters, then that’s who I am, regardless of my skin colour. Because being a Purple People Eater is an attitude, much like any other ethnicity. When we show our prejudice in public, it looks bad on all of us and we all painted with the same brush. We are no better than the people we condem.

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    • Posted by Ken on

      Yes as indigenous people we know who we are and we know who are indigenous, this group in southern Labrador has made claims to be certain indigenous people many times and have not been recognized but now they are claiming to be Inuit and the Inuit of Labrador do not recognize them as Inuit along with the Innu Nation who do not recognize them as Inuit.
      The indigenous people of that area are saying they are not Inuit and they would know, not a Liberal MP from there not the government, the indigenous people from there know and they are saying they are not Inuit, that says it all, this group is trying to use the system to benefit themselves.

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  31. Posted by Nunatsiavumiuk on

    The video was originally recorded as a live and the thing is people login and logout of Facebook live and Twitter live you know within a matter of 10 seconds or 30 seconds so you want to make sure that the people who are tuning in understand what the purpose of the live is. That’s why she was repeating herself so often because probably she was seeing people log on to the live and it sounds like people were reporting her Facebook live which means that they were getting taken down so she was not able to feel as though her message was getting out because it kept getting taken down over and over again so she was becoming frustrated.

    There is a book by Darrell LaRue that is called race shifting and it’s about the fact that it’s become advantageous for people who aren’t indigenous to claim an indigenous background so for example in Nova Scotia there are now Acadian people who are claiming that they are Mi’kmaw and Metis. They are making this claim because they have an ancestor from the 1800 who they claim was Indigenous and otherwise have absolutely no connection to their community that ancestor was from. Many people believe that metis is just indigenous + non-indigenous = metis, buy metis people are a specific ethnicity in western Canada that have a lineage and backgrounds their culture came about because of contact but they are indigenous people. I am Nunatsiavummiuk and I believe that there is possibly an argument that people in southern Labrador could be a post contact indigenous culture but they changed their name so many times Southern Inuit, Inuit-Metis, Metis, and now just Inuit… it makes me feel like instead of fighting to be recognized as their own unique culture which maybe they do have their just trying to Ram themselves into an Inuit shaped box for the federal government to be able to get access to funding even though their communities don’t have a housing crisis don’t have a suicide crisis and don’t have any of the negative social determinants of Health that are associated with colonialism

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    • Posted by Politics on

      If Yvonne Jones was an NDP or even a Conservative, would Mumilaaq have brought this up in such a devisive manner? Nope. She’s doing what he party wants her to do, but then she went way too far and now the story is about her.

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    • Posted by Anonymous Nunavumiut on

      Actually, the Acadién Métis do exist and they have a rich history and culture. Unfortunately the Acadién expulsion caused many dances, songs, stories and families to fall apart over the years. Some continued to be passed down. The Mik’maq are the only current band of First Nations on Miqmaqi. In the past the Mik’maq had relations with the Acadiéns and would frequently intermarry. It could be argued that the Acadién Métis community was one of the first “indigenous + French” communities in present day Canada.

      Let’s not forget that the Powley decision was made in ONTARIO, an eastern province. Métis politics are intense and divisive, coming from the west…

      Louis Riel did not say the Métis came from Red River! Rather that he hoped ALL people with “mixed blood” could live a life recognized as Métis in Canada. Check this out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pW3iIuX4lj0

      Daryl Leroux is a professor at St. Mary’s University while Sebastien Malette is a professor at Carleton University.

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  32. Posted by Truestory on

    What ruckus in Nunavut and Nunatsiavut. Civil war online. Guffaw.

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  33. Posted by The Great Divide on

    It’s interesting to read the comments and get different opinions and thoughts, please accept these as my thoughts.
    We are in the midst of a pandemic that could wipe out Nunavut is we don’t do what is necessary to fight the battle with all of our well being. Just wanted to point out that Nunavut currently has 33 active cases of Covid and today we will hopefully learn what variant it could be. It is important that we stick together on this, the virus is not looking for Dave’s, John’s, Dianna’s or Elisiapee’s. There are no names attached and the target is each and everyone one of us. We can cut each other up and be angry with everyone around us but that will not solve the problem. We need to come together and listen to the authorities who risk their lives to keep us safe. This should be our focus.
    For any MP to use her own afflictions to cause hurt to any off individual is unacceptable and the gather followers to play the childish, immature actions is sad for humanity. This is what we have come to.
    MP has taken a stab at another individual who claims to be who she is, it is not up to Yvonne to prove with her blood who she is. In my opinion it is unacceptable for anyone to ask who we are and should it even be a priority of the NDP MP or the leadership. What you have created is civil unrest within your people by bringing out all of the families of mixed backgrounds and putting them under your bus. You have a business person who shouts your thoughts who is married to a white person who doesn’t claim what he is. However when you think about it, does she or any other person roll over in the morning and say to there mixed partner that you are white or you are not Inuk.
    In my opinion you have shamed your people and have embarrassed the territory in the eyes of the world. The late Jack Layton supported employment and honest working class people, this was the mandate of the NDP party. You as the MP have not come with any solution to support this mandate you criticize but offer not solutions to the issues of the day. You had the opportunity to stand up and be a real leader for the people of Nunavut, to guide them through difficult decisions like the Baffinland project, like the attack from Covid, you have failed, going on twitter and putting on a show like you have is pretty low, if this is all you have you should do the right thing for your people and find another sand box to play in because you have turned this sand box to mud. Your legacy will be what? I outed Yvonne Jones..

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    • Posted by Karboneater on

      Well said Great Divide, Nunavut has had 2 MPs that failed Nunavutmuit and this latest fiasco w/ “who you” from MP MQ is so out touch that its become utterly embarrassing, , childish, and disappointing. It has reached stage where if MQ sponsors a private members Bill in the House to take out (erase forever) two letters from the English alphabet the “B” and “S” so that there would a couple of words less to describe her effectiveness as a MP, I don’t think Nunavut would be too surprised.. Nunavut needs Cabinet candidates in the next election, not insignificant backbenchers w/ nothing to do but twitter. Sheesh!!

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    • Posted by Grateful on

      Thank you Great Divide for reminding me of Jack Layton. If more politicians followed his positive example, incidents like this would never happen. He would have been a great Prime Minister one day. RIP.

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    • Posted by ChesLey on

      The New Democrats are failing themselves behaving as do the Liberal and Conservative, Go with the Green Party the better alternative.

  34. Posted by Help on

    She is talking like a person who has been drinking. If that is the case, I hope this is acknowledged so she can get help.

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    • Posted by into the sauce on

      I watched the video and agree, she seemed to be a bit drunk

  35. Posted by Paradigm Shift on

    Debate around the status of Yvonne Jones or the NunatuKavut people is not an issue our MP is qualified to decide on, nor is it an issue that confers any use or benefit to Mumilaaq’s constituents or to Nunavut.

    I would ask everyone here to consider this controversy for what it is, a bludgeon used to inflict pain and disrepute on a political opponent who is seen as a threat to the outcome our MP wants in the Baffinland dispute.
    Meanwhile, the amount of people who have taken the bait and have used this as permission to unleash their xenophobia, animus and hate towards an imagined ‘outgroup,’ as if they pose a serious existential threat to the Inuit of Nunavut, is the toxic poison our MP is sewing into our public attitudes and discourse.

    Many people commenting here are dedicated to Mumilaaq, and whatever she says, at whatever cost. And that is something we need to pay attention to. I invite all readers here to check out her Twitter page for yourself. I noticed she is continuing to try and post her video and is complaining that they are being taken down by “liberals’ and ‘fake accounts’ made by followers of Yvonne Jones… paranoid and totally delusional, but also not one bit apologetic. So, who really apologized for Mumilaaq? Her staffers? Jagmeet Singh?

    Also notice how, on the same forum, people like Tanya Tagaq and members of the Jerry Cans are portraying this entire episode as Mumilaaq showing “leadership”. This is not leadership; it is absolutely toxic and needs to be stopped. People here and on twitter who are supporting this are, in reality, using Mumilaaq to forward their own battles and cultural narratives. Be mindful of that and don’t get swept into their cognitive distortions.

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    • Posted by Paul Murphy on

      FINALLY. I have been away all week and came upon this post. Paradigm Shift has hit the mail on the head.
      As I read the comments, I was questioning, so what if she self describes as Inuk. It is not the business of anyone in Nunavut (White, Black or Inuk). Our MP does not reflect the opinion of very many of the Inuit I know. She has made her self an embarrassment to Nunavut many times over since she was elected and continues to do so.
      Time to stop this nonsense.

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      • Posted by Peter on

        I disagree with you Paul, it is the business for all Inuit when non Inuit are trying to claim to be Inuit for their own interests.
        Would you not agree with the Inuit of Labrador and the Innu that are saying they are not Inuit?
        This will effect all Inuit, doesn’t matter where in Canada.

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        • Posted by Paradigm Shift on

          Peter, I agree there may be some discussion to be had around the status of the NunatuKavut people. But that discussion should be had in good faith and led by people knowledgeable about the issue and not ones who are simply using it to inflict pain on others for political reasons, unrelated to those claims themselves.

          A sincere question for you, why do you think Mumilaaq brought this issue up at this time? Do you recognize that the main reason she raised this is to damage another person and to discredit them, primarily because of their political affiliations (not because of their identity)?

          To me it seems that you and many others in these comments have had your attention completely hacked here are robotically murmuring these points over and over without any insight into how manipulated you’ve been.

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          • Posted by Peter on

            I don’t see it that way, it could be but I just don’t think it’s the reason, she asked a simple question to prove how Yvonne might be a Inuk, if Yvonne can prove it this would be put to rest pretty quick.
            Unfortunately Yvonne is unwilling or can’t, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

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            • Posted by Paradigm Shift on

              When you say it doesn’t need to be complicated, what I hear is that you don’t want to bother yourself with the underlying facts surrounding this discussion, and you don’t have any interest in them. At least not the ones that might be difficult to explain or acknowledge.

              Also, by what authority do you think Yvonne or any of the NunatuKavut need to prove anything to you or anyone else commenting here? What makes you or Mumilaaq, think you can arbitrate on what counts as a satisfactory response to the question of their heritage? I’m quite sure the answer is nothing.

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              • Posted by Peter on

                Yes you are right, I don’t have any interest in the bs, my interest is to find out if Yvonne and the rest are actually Inuit, let’s look at their history, they have tried to claim being FN, Métis and now Inuit, should be just accept them as Inuit looking at their past attempts to be something else?
                Should we just believe them and look the other way?
                It amazes me that when Inuit and the Innu of that area is saying they are not Inuit but so many of you blindly believe Yvonne Jones.
                If that is the case then let’s just open it up to other groups and make them Inuit just because.

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                • Posted by Paradigm Shift on

                  Hey Peter, as I said I agree there is a conversation to be had around the legitimacy of the NunatuKavut claims. I don’t necessarily believe or disbelieve Yvonne. I’m not qualified to weigh in on her claims and I suspect very few others commenting here are either. On the other hand, I’m not concerned about them and don’t feel like they are any of my business, but I’m not an Inuk. My son is though, or is he really?

                  Obviously, you and I both have very different concerns in this. I acknowledge your anxieties.

                  My concern is Mumilaaq’s toxic, frankly hateful approach, which is obviously and fundamentally driven by a desire to cause another person pain.

                  I think we need to recognize the ways this opens the same underlying questions, resentment and division in our own backyard around who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’. If there is a legitimate conversation to be had around these issues, it needs to be handled with exquisite care, not with reckless disregard, which is the exact tone Mumilaaq has set.

                  Thanks for engaging with me, sincerely.

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                  • Posted by Peter on

                    Yes we have very different concerns, as a Inuk I am very concerned to hear my fellow Inuit in Nunatsiavut saying these guys are not Inuit and their own MP is not listening to them and actually going against them, when their MP is also part of the NunatuKavut claim being in conflict I am concerned it will affect all of us Inuit including your son.

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      • Posted by WTF on

        What an embarrassment. We all knew Mumilaaq was NOT qualified for the position of MP and now she’s decided to commit lateral violence against another indigenous woman.

        It is NOT her job or anyone else in Nunavut to determine who is Inuk or not!

        In case you forgot Mumilaaq, you were elected to lobby the government in power on behalf of all Nunavummuit, not pick fights with people who have nothing to do with Nunavut!

        Wake up Nunavummuit, this person is NOT representative of the people of Nunavut. You voted for an idiot!

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  36. Posted by Northern Inuit on

    Make Mumilaaq Great Again.

    oh wait….

    guess she was readying Donald Jr’s latest tactic book?

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  37. Posted by Oscare on

    We have more important things to worry about in Nunavut and here our elected MP is fighting against someones ethnicity, come on get real Qaqqaq. Wake up, grow up and fight the real fight

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  38. Posted by I get it now on

    Another fine product of NS. I understand now why the GN tried to cut financial ties with them.

    PLEASE RESIGN

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  39. Posted by Inuk on

    I did not vote for her and I am not a supporter for her, saying that there seems to be a lot of personal attacks on our MP for whatever reason, it just seems like a bunch of people are getting on a bandwagon for the sake of attacking her as it seems to be popular right now.
    Let’s look at her questions, Yvonne Jones is claiming to be a Inuk and the Inuit in Labrador do not recognize this group as Inuit and the Innu Nation do not recognize this group as Inuit but Yvonne Jones using her position to push this claim through the Federal government and finally someone one (our MP) calling her out on her claim to being a Inuk, asking for proof which Yvonne Jones cannot proved or will not provide we have to ask ourselves why is this a bad question to ask when it effects all Inuit, is a group who tried to claim to be Innu in the past but were not recognized as one than claimed to me Métis and now trying to claim to be Inuit, don’t we Inuit should support our fellow Inuit in Labrador who are saying this group is not Inuit?
    If this group succeeds in being recognized as Inuit by the Federal government it will set a precedent for future claims by non Inuit in other regions. Looking past our nose some time down the road years from now some group can do the same and claim to be Inuit to use the system.
    Instead of attacking her question for Yvonne Jones to prove her claims as being an Inuk why not demand the same and as Yvonne Jones to prove she is a Inuk, not Innu or Métis that they had tried to claim before. What Yvonne Jones is doing is unethical and borderline criminal, the Inuit in Labrador are saying they are not Inuit, the Innu are saying the same. Inuit know who Inuit are not the government, this can and will effect allInuit, we need to stand together and support each other. Help bring to light this false claim and show this group you can’t just call yourself a Inuk when you are not.

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    • Posted by Mumilaaq’s Marionettes on

      Inuk, are you qualified to speak on the status of the NunatuKavut people? Do you know much or anything about them? If not, then aren’t you doing the exact thing you are accusing others of, jumping on the “bandwagon”?

      Isn’t it strange how did the issue of their status become the most pressing issue in Nunavut right now?

      This is cheap political theatrics and you like many others here are dancing to it just like the rest of Mumilaaq’s Marionettes.

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      • Posted by Half Baked Inuk on

        If Mrs Jones is Inuit she should be a member of the Nunatsiavut Land Claim which covers Inuit in Labrador.

        Produce your Land Claim card Jones if you want to speak as an Inuk for Inuit or stop masquerading as an Inuk.

        There must be a reason her enrolment application was denied. Because she did not meet their criteria.

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        • Posted by Kenn Harper on

          You say the Nunatsiavut Land Claim covers Inuit in Labrador. Not quite. The Nunatsiavut Land Claim covers Inuit and some non-Inuit (Kablunaangajuit) who are accepted as beneficiaries of that land claim. It does not cover other people like Yvonne Jones who claim Inuit-ness but who are from outside the claim area. It’s complex.

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      • Posted by Inuk on

        The Inuit of Labrador are qualified to determine who is Inuit, not a Liberal MP or the Government.

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        • Posted by Ahaaa on

          I guess we are all latching on to this because it is a juicy distraction from covid-19?

          I am also concerned about people attacking our MP personally but demeaning behaviour from anyone should be called out.

          I also think that both MPs should let Inuit from the Labrador region decide who is Inuk. An MP from the government in power should stay out of this because they have too much power. An MP from Nunavut should stay out of this because they are not from what is now called Labrador…

          • Posted by Johanasie on

            So, she commits lateral violence against another indigenous woman, and her supporters are upset because people are not going to give her a free pass for her folly.

            We know the difference between an incompetent belligerent busybody and an intelligent thoughtful and respectful people’s representative.

            #resignmumilaaq

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            • Posted by Tim on

              Are you sure she is Indigenous? I don’t think she is recognized as one and she is still trying to be recognized as one.

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            • Posted by Really on

              How do you know she is indigenous? The indigenous people of Labrador do not recognize her as indigenous.

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    • Posted by Darren on

      You know why I am upset with her? Look around us! There are SO MANY issues to tackle that I dont even want to list them all and she is busy with this identity politics BS! This is time and effort you could be using to actually help Nunavummiut.

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  40. Posted by Jay Arnakak on

    though we may be ‘righteously indignant’, we still have to remember that Mumilaaq is human and should try and be merciful in expressing our deep concerns.

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    • Posted by Mara Tajba on

      I agree with you, Jay. There is no need to take a person down heartlessly. This was not our MP’s finest hour and her apology indicates that she knows this. I feel for her because I see a young woman who means well, who is passionate about her purpose and her role and I wonder how much support and mentoring and guidance she us receiving from her party. I hope she is not being used, which would be the real shame here, not her mistaken and inexperienced manner of trying to articulate issues that as a result of the colonial legacy of cultural genocide still matter in our country.

      The sad reality is that distinctions of race, ethnicity and belonging in Canada today are still necessary for reconciliation purposes , for redressing generations of injustice and appropriation, and for reclaiming stolen lands, stolen inheritances and almost eradicated identities and cultures. These distinctions matter keenly to those affected. So I look at what I understand to be our MP’s intention, not her arguably inept manner of communication. Let’s not make this a witch-hunt. Let’s support her along her journey of leadership.

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      • Posted by Reality Check, 1 2 1 2 on

        This comment is obviously well meaning, Mara… but it does not represent a few important realities about this situation.

        Last evening, after this article was revised and reported her apology, Mumilaaq was still posting her attack video again, angry that it had been repeatedly been taken down (probably by her own staff, the same staff who almost certainly wrote her apology). It is impossible for me, having seen that, to believe that “her apology indicates that she knows” how badly she has acted here. I’m sorry but this is simply wishful, magical thinking on your part.

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      • Posted by Get real on

        Mumilaaq needs to get out of politics for her sake and ours. Enough is enough. Get help. Don’t subject yourself and us to another four years.

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      • Posted by Apology on

        The emailed apology probably came from Mumilaaq staff and not by Mumilaaq herself.

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      • Posted by Unaluu on

        #resignmumilaaq

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  41. Posted by The Old Trapper on

    I had hoped that Ms Qaqqaq would bring a fresh viewpoint and ideas along with a renewed vigor to the MP position.
    .
    I listened to one of her recent Facebook live sessions, I was actually trying to find the one referenced in the article but ended up with Ms. Qaqqaq just droning on about how “Canada” was to blame and “they” needed to fix the housing, affordable living, and clean water problems.
    .
    I did not hear one proposed solution to any of the problems she mentioned, or the other many issues facing the people of Nunavut. Time for her to step aside and let someone who has ideas to fix the problems, and is willing to work across parties to make life better for the people of Nunavut.
    .
    Right now Ms. Qaqqaq you are just complaining, and we’ve heard enough of that.

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  42. Posted by Disappointment on

    When “Those People” start calling you “Something Else” but you already know your level of “Inukness”.

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  43. Posted by Nunavummiut on

    I am very disappointed and embarrassed as a resident of Nunavut and our MP constantly making points without doing properly researching her information. That shows the immature and lack of experience. I did vote for her but I will not longer vote for NDP this time round if she is going to be representing my vote.

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    • Posted by Sigh on

      I wonder if the NDP is actually misguidedly, in its own colonial romanticism, avoiding to guide one of its Indigenous MPs. And so perhaps not using our MP as much as afraid of interfering.

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      • Posted by View inside the echo chamber on

        I would be surprised if this wasn’t the case. Progressive discourse has become an echo-chamber that actively chokes authentic, genuine communication, replacing it with speech codes that demand conformity to ideals arbitrated by a hierarchy of statuses weighted on identity markers.

        If you notice them reciting phrases like ‘identity matters’ what you are hearing is the music they sing to the gods that empower them, and that disempower those that land outside their preferred categories. In a sense that is the animating force behind this controversy; who counts and who doesn’t, which is also to say, who gets power (conferred through status) and who doesn’t.

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  44. Posted by A Southerner on

    Great leaders do not engage in identity politics. Great leaders do not play the victim and constantly blame and complain. Great leaders create opportunities and solve problems using every possible tool at their disposal. Great leaders focus on how to unify their people, not divide them. Nunavut needs a great leader.

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  45. Posted by Sara on

    Inuunngitu, ataatanga amma anaana qallunaan. Takkuuli apirsurtaulirami immini languiasitanniqqu, inuunngi taanna inuuniragasuagartu.

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  46. Posted by articrick on

    We all should ask and validate our “inukness” to QQ, does she decide who is and who isn’t inuk? Maybe politics isn’t your cup of tea QQ.

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  47. Posted by Is that you talkin…? on

    Hey Mumilaaq! Just a reminder:

    Inuuqatigiitsiarniq: Respecting others, relationships and caring for people.
    Tunnganarniq: Fostering good spirits by being open, welcoming and inclusive.

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  48. Posted by Arctic Circle on

    Must be “NS” speak.

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  49. Posted by Human with A Heart Beat! JUST LIKE EVERYONE! on

    The comments has me well entertained and a friendly reminder: We all have A Heart Beat, we are only Human with different attitudes! The racist issues are on-going year round so ignore the negative comments and continue to strive. We ALL work together to make things happen whether we like it or not…common sense.

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  50. Posted by Lisa P on

    This is why she deserves the statue on the 4 corners. She stands up for the Inuit and calls the fakes out. Through her strength and wisdom, she has guided us through the pandemic and is now beating back the virus. May she lead for many more years setting an example with her professionalism and good sense.

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    • Posted by When you know, you know on

      This is the best sarcastic comment i’ve seen. Thank you Lisa, much needed during these troubling times!

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  51. Posted by MP needs to resign on

    As others have said she is young and as with most young people ranting on social media is popular. Her condition in the video clearly shows she is not in a good state of mind. Ranting on twitter throwing racist views is the typical hobby of young people today. As our voice in Nunavut she needs to learn to control her social media presence while being respectful towards others. She has yet to learn that you can be active on social media without being unprofessional, especially as politician.

    She should consider more self control over social media. She is our representative and since she has been elected she has not been professional or tactful. One mistake you can be forgiven, two, three… She does not seem to learn and continues to embarrass Nunavut. We elected you, but that does not mean your current rant and views are reflected by your constituents.

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    • Posted by I agree on

      I agree, the MP Yvonne Jones needs to resign being in a conflict of interest using her position to push ahead these non Inuit claims of being Inuit.
      Listen to the Inuit of Labrador when they say these are not Inuit, they know best who is a Inuk and who is not. Stop listening to a MP that is pushing her own agenda to benefit and use a system for Inuit.

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  52. Posted by boris pasternak on

    Y. Jones; why do you work so hard to be wanting to be described as inuk? maybe if you had experience what we had gone through, you would change your mind, look at the past housing reports, many are infested with moldy homes and do you think feds care? Inuit are treated worst than many of the third world nations. chronic dieses are in rampant. we are a dying race, why do you want to be part of a race that even it’s leaders are calling our writing and language is the cramps? do you support in wanna be Canadians should be housed in 3 or more stars hotels while lil Inuit babies are breathing in moldy air? high arctic exiles saved the high arctic from Russians and Americans, is this how ekimos are rewarded?

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  53. Posted by Bad day for Inuit on

    This is not good for Inuit. It’s concerning that it might represent why Inuit are struggling with issues that need not be focused on. Maybe lateral violence. I only heard of that phrase since I lived in the north. I was on a committee once that was hiring. We had many applicants from qualified Inuit, but the job was given to a non-Inuit by our committee voting. The Inuit on the committee were very against an inuk having that job, because it paid too well. One member told me , I can’t vote for an inuk to have such high pay. This whole situation is Inuit against Inuit. It’s a whole world watching. Voters should be very careful about who they vote to represent them. This is absolutely ridiculous of Nunavut MP. My inuk wife always kept our children from listening to fm and other sources of discrimination speaking coming from Inuit. This is what she would mean by saying, turn off the radio.

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    • Posted by Molly on

      The problem here is non Inuit claiming to be Inuit when they are not, this could open up a can of worms if approved.

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  54. Posted by The Truth on

    As our government scrambles to appear virtuous by giving special consideration and privilege to those acknowledged as “oppressed”, it should be no surprise that more and more people will attempt to convince others of their right of belonging to one of these groups. It is kind of humorous watching these things play out though. Please keep it coming.

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  55. Posted by No more on

    Don’t worry, be happy! In about 223 years, there will be no more Inuit so we don’t have to argue about this anymore. They be long gone and we’ll only have memories of them.

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    • Posted by Uvanga on

      Sad reality as we are all marrying into other cultures and losing our language at the same time. Inuit will eventually disappear

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  56. Posted by Allow me disrespect on

    This opens up the door a little more for people to disrespect Inuit.

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    • Posted by Can of worms on

      It opens the door for Inuit to disrespect each other. It makes it seem okay to accuse and criticize others of being a fake if they don’t appear Inuk enough.

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  57. Posted by Imagine on

    Imagine being a young Inuk, well, at least you think you are Inuk. You’ve lived here all your life, your dad’s Inuit, your mom isnt. You constantly get bullied in school by “full bloods” and now you go on the news and you see that your own MP doesn’t think you’re Inuk.

    Now imagine you’re one of those bullies and you see your MP crapping on someone for not being Inuit enough.

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    • Posted by Uvanga on

      At the same time you should never be ashamed of your white heritage otherwise you’re encouraging discrimination with your own self

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    • Posted by Imagine on

      I’m not talking about Labrador Inuit. I’m talking about Inuit within Nunavut. Children here get bullied all the time because their blood isn’t pure enough. I know a few Inuk who look white but practice more Inuit culture than full bloods, but they still get called “not an Inuk”

  58. Posted by Am I an Inuk? on

    When I left school after being in residential schools for 13 years, I lost my language, lost how to survive as an Inuk…they did a good job in doing that..it has taken many painful years in trying to be an Inuk again…even when I went to another region in Nunavut, I wasn’t excepted as an Inuk as I didn’t speak or understand the language or their way of lif.
    But all these years I am gratefull for my late uncle who gave me one word in Inuktitut to fellow in recovering my inuit identity and that word is “Hivolioktilotin” meanin…NEVER BE THE FIRST….
    Our MP has opened a can of warms that I as an elder now would never happen in this day of age and it is sadly reflected here in the comments.

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  59. Posted by How you doing on

    Your wasting time Qaqaqa, should of had more work done instead of big talk plus your so young to know the world still, grow up, why did I vote for you, you half kaloonaq too Qaqaq,

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  60. Posted by Miriam McDonald on

    I am one who learnt from Inuit and I am a better person for it. It’s time to speak of another Truth. “Respect: There are a lot fewer problems when there is respect.” (Lucassie Arragutainaq, Voices from the Bay). Politics is a rough world, and the fights are merciless. Anger needs to be heard wisely. A seminal book written by Jean Briggs is “Never in Anger”. It is a good read about a white woman living in the Arctic not that long ago.

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  61. Posted by Rethink decision on

    I think It’s time Ms.Qaqqaq step away from, or be removed from her position. No platform, misinformed/uninformed, Lacking experience, and demonstrating immaturity in multiplie matters, then lateral racism at a time when Inuit need distinct and solid representation in government. While I have great respect for her attempt, I do not feel she is prepared to handle the position which she has been given and I believe it’s time she recognize that and do the right thing. The NDP have done nothing to support improving the entire situation that’s gone on with her and this tops it off.

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  62. Posted by Mistakes on

    We all make mistakes, but we need to learn from them. This has not been the case for MQ. You are the MP for Nunavut and this includes all Nunavummiut, it doesn’t matter what color or race.
    I wish I would see more positive actions and comments coming out of your office, or on NN, but this hasn’t been the case neither.
    Right now you aren’t helping Nunavummiut; you’re poisoning relationships on the Territorial and Federal level.

    Like the MP for Nfld and Labrador said, as politicians you criticize other politicians approaches and not their personal life. Since I do not feel represented properly by you, and since I believe you’d cause more harm than good for Nunavut, the Honorable Jagmeet Singh was notified about your vendetta and hopefully he’ll find the time to provide you with professional advice about how to perform your duties as a MP

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  63. Posted by Jeffery on

    Labrador people are not Inuit, they’re Innu
    Inuit and Innu are different

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    • Posted by Cool story bro on

      Cool story, Jeffery. Now tell us why this matters to you, and why it is suddenly the hottest topic on Nunatsiaq News? I don’t recall any of our recent political figures drawing attention to it, why is that? And why now?

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  64. Posted by Esquimaux on

    Where are the Inuit organizations in all off this?
    Very quiet in this part of the tundra.

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    • Posted by Samantha on

      The Inuit in Labrador the Nunatsiavut government has been opposed to this and have been saying it for a long time, unfortunately this is getting missed or brushed aside by a lot of people on here and supporting a MP claiming to be a Inuk when we know she is not.
      It’s very discouraging to see so much blind trust in someone without any proof and going with just her word and not listening to us when we say they are not Inuit.
      I don’t know how we can be heard more, who else can help us when our own MP Yvonne Jones is not listening to us and going against us Inuit.

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      • Posted by Miriam McDonald on

        Thank you for clarifying what the issue is Stephanie. Bringing it to the attention of the Leader and Executive of the Liberal Party as constituents and the problems your MP is generating is one suggestion. The other is to ask for help from federal ministers with mandates for resolving the conflicts of interest she presents. It certainly hit a raw nerve and shown the underbelly of relations in Nunavut.

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  65. Posted by Crystal Clarity on

    Is this how an MP is suppose to behave? Is she going to start questioning the heritage of all MP’s? Is this going to be her legacy? …….the worst MP Nunavut has ever had. Just shameful and embarrassing.

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    • Posted by More Clarity Please on

      Glad to finally hear from you!

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  66. Posted by anonymous on

    It’s disheartening when a person is elected into a high position that, they think they can belittle or name call others; to me it’s immature of them. All I can say is, think before you post or write about others, Just my thought.

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  67. Posted by The Old Mapper on

    The Great Mummilaq “The Great Saviour” of the “real” Inuit people. Unbelievable! To think Canadians are paying her $184,000 per annum plus benefits for this childish nonsense is beyond compare mprehension. Get to work for Nunavummiut and quit being so immature. Next election and you’re finished.

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  68. Posted by Just a white woman living in Nunavut on

    Racism is so prevalent in the north because “leaders” like Mumilaaq enncourage discrimination. It’s like a normal way of life to refer to someone by their ethnicity over their name. Be proud of your heritage yes. But no need to single one out based on theirs.

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  69. Posted by Northerner on

    Ok so let’s say Jones is not “inuk” what is all this doing to benefit NUNAVUT?

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    • Posted by Up north’s on

      If their claim is not approved then it will help Inuit in Nunavut if there was ever a similar group trying to claim being Inuit.

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      • Posted by Red Herring on

        If their claim is approved your life will go on in exactly the same way it would if their claim wasn’t approved. It will have zero effect on you or on Nunavut… zip, zero, zilch…

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        • Posted by Bigger fish on

          You need to look at the bigger picture, 20-50 years from now this example can be used somewhere else in Inuit nunanga.
          We have to be careful as this could open it up for others that could claim to be Inuit when they are not Inuit.
          Why is it so difficult for Yvonne Jones to prove her Inuit ancestry?

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          • Posted by iWonder on

            It might seem ironic, but an interesting thing about your example is that in 50 years from now this issue will be more pronounced in Nunavut that anywhere else, and that is why it needs to be handled wisely now.

            Read some of the comments above by other Inuit of mixed ancestry. Their numbers are growing and in time it is not hard to imagine Nunavut looking a lot like the NunatuKavut Community does today.

            There is another comment up there where someone complains that there are beneficiaries in Nunavut today, who really shouldn’t be beneficiaries at all. Why do you think they say that? And is this way of thinking part the future you want for Nunavut?

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            • Posted by At least on

              At least if you can name one of your parents or even one of your grandparents as being a Inuk that should be fine, can this group along with Jones name one of their parents or grandparents? You don’t have to be a 100% Inuk but at least be able to show who is in your family tree.

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            • Posted by Yep on

              “In time it is not hard to imagine Nunavut looking a lot like the NunatuKavut Community does today.”

              ^ This

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              • Posted by Larry on

                Yes it could happen here too, non Inuit could also claim to be Inuit, if it can happen in Labrador it can happen here or other parts of the north.
                Imagine us Inuit here in Nunavut saying a non Inuit group is trying to claim being Inuit and we are trying to stop them because we know they are not Inuit but our MP is using her political position to push it through her Liberal government for approval.
                It would really be of concern. I’m glad this is getting more exposure now.

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  70. Posted by Troy Rauhala on

    In noticing how fractious and divisive this discussion is and has become, it is difficult ignore the qualities of Trumpism at play here, where the nativist, parochial and xenophobic have been packaged with a complete disregard for respect or civility (observations on Mumilaaq’s video).

    At a time like this Nunavut needs wise and thoughtful leaders to step up and publicly repudiate the poisonous attitudes our Member of Parliament has chosen to release into our public consciousness and conversation. I hope some of them will find the courage.

    Whatever the status of the NunatuKavut or Yvonne Jones, the effects of this attack will barely be felt in Labrador, but they will ripple through Nunavut and pluck perniciously at our social fabric where their effects will be much longer lasting and corrosive.

    When divisive forces are given licence—an ideal of racial purity—where outgroups are targeted and scapegoats are formed unity erodes and increasing levels of mistrust and discrimination tend to follow. While this might not be evident now, these subtle forces can and will play out over long periods of time.

    Notice this, and do not allow yourself to be captured by it.

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  71. Posted by Kenn Harper on

    It doesn’t matter whether Mumilaaq Qaqqaq thinks Yvonne Jones is an Inuk or not.
    It doesn’t matter whether any Nunavut Land Claims beneficiary thinks Yvonne Jones is an Inuk or not.
    It doesn’t even matter if any beneficiary of the Nunatsiavut Land Claim or member of the Nunatsiavut Government thinks Yvonne Jones is an Inuk or not.
    It matters whether the members of the NunatuKavut Community Council think Yvonne Jones is an Inuk. Apparently they do.
    And it matters (eventually) whether the Government of Canada enters into a Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD – a new process replacing the land claims process) with the NCC. The two parties signed an MOU in 2019. NCC first filed its land claim almost 3 decades ago.
    Land claims take time. Isn’t that how every settled land claim in Canada has been settled.

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  72. Posted by Kenn Harper on

    To all those who seem so agitated over this issue of whether Yvonne Jones is or isn’t an Inuk – Did you know that there are lots of non-Inuit who are beneficiaries of the Nunatsiavut Land Claim? Read the enrolment criteria.

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    • Posted by Colin on

      Yes we know Ken, do you also know they don’t recognize her as a Inuk?

      What are your thoughts of the NunatuKavut Community past history of trying to be another indigenous groups?

      What are your thoughts of the Inuit in Nunatsiavut and the Innu saying they are not Inuit?

      Should it be up to the federal government without any input from the indigenous people from that area?

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  73. Posted by Good luck Mumilaaq Qaqqaq on

    This is very sensitive issue, you shouldn’t have pinpoint another politician, at least Mrs. Jones is serving her Province to serve Labradorimiut, not your Nunavut.

    Let it be, you’re ruining your professionalism as MP, unless, don’t become an bad example, stay proud serving Nunavut, keep your head up high, we are all Inuit trying our best to live, serving and teaching our children on our side.

    And please stop the discrimination, we are all Inuit of different race, different dialect.

    I hope you will clean your act. People are looking up to you…

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    • Posted by Small correction on

      Just a small correction on who Jones is serving, it’s the people in southern Labrador and not the rest of Labrador. They outnumber the rest of the province.

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      • Posted by Justin on

        That is correct, the NunatuKavut Community outnumber the Inuit about 3 to 1, so we can see how much this would effect them with Federal funding for Inuit, programming funds, infrastructure and so on.
        Hopefully Nunatsiaq news will follow this and keep us updated to how this is playing out.

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  74. Posted by Upset with MP behaviour on

    I believe this is a discussion that needs to be had; how to approach those who fraudulently claim indigeniety. But not like this. Not so vindicitively and hurtfully. This is already a very sensitive topic of discussion, and the MP has only made it worse with her approach. Had she been more experienced she would have seeked advice on how to best approach this with results in mind, and not like a child throwing a tantrum. She’s just throwing gasoline onto an already blazing fire with her approach.

    And especially during a time when her energies could have been better sourced elsewhere. Nunavut is experiencing another outbreak. Our CPHO has stated that they have capacity to respond to three communities with active COVID cases and they likely will be seeking federal support if things progress further. And our MP is on sick leave because of own actions that put her in this very position. Had she been experienced she would put her energy into our urgent needs. Had she more experience she might offer her resources and networks in the federal government as our MP to the provide support for the GN, but nope, she is gone on sick leave for her behaviour. I doubt that she has even built any networks in her position. Who would want to work with her and support her if this is how she approaches things.

    She needs to resign. We need a leader who knows how to do things and get things done, who puts Nunavut first.

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  75. Posted by Andre bird on

    Validation has been the biggest battle of my life 🙁

  76. Posted by The Twitter Problem on

    In the words of the venerable journalist and author, Johann Hari

    “Twitter incentivises us all (me included) to be the worst possible versions of ourselves – angry, status-conscious, prissy, sarcastic, unkind, uncharitable, unlistening. Never use it for more than 3 minutes a day – that’s my strong advice.”

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