Vol. 2, Issue. 6, June. 1998 The Newsletter of Tunngavik Incorporated See Reverse for BILL C-39 PASSES THIRD READING

Bill C-39, the legislation regarding amendments to the Nunavut Act passed third reading June 2. All parties except Reform voted to pass the amendments which are seen as vital for the smooth and efficient transition to Nunavut. Last month two NTI officials told a federal committee the amendments to the Nunavut Act must be passed to ensure a smooth start-up for the Nunavut govern- ment. NTI Executive Director A l e x Campbell and Policy and Programs Nunavut Construction Corporation President , Qikiqtaaluk Corporation Advisor Leena Evic-Twerdin presented a President Jerry Ell and Iqaluit MLAEd Picco survey the first pile as construction begins. brief to the federal Standing Committee on before the House of Commons. “This tion he needed to proceed with infrastruc- Aboriginal A ffairs and Northern effort is a testament of how much closer ture requirements for Nunavut. Development April 29 in Ottawa. we are to realizing our dream of Nunavut,” The committee heard the amendments The committee was hearing from dif- Campbell urged. are a result of a multiparty working group. ferent groups about Bill C-39, the amend- One of the most important amend- The group included representatives ments to the Nunavut Act. ments allows for Nunavut’s first election from NTI, the federal and territorial gov- Campbell told the committee it was to be held before April 1, 1999. ernments, Nunavut Implementation vital they support the amendments put The need to have an elected legisla- Commission and the Office of the Interim ture in place before that date is important Commissioner. because “the establishment of a new polit- Through this collaborative effort crit- ical jurisdiction must be as seamless as ical issues, conflicts or omissions in the possible so as to maintain the quality and Nunavut Act were identified and drafted level of services for the people of into Bill C-39. Nunavut,” said Campbell. After giving the committee a brief C a m p b e l l ’s comments reflected history on Nunavut, Campbell reminded DIAND Minister Jane Stewart’s remarks the committee that debate on Nunavut had “the election must happen before April 1, already taken place. 1999.” Nunavut is a reality and it is NTI’s The amendments also call for rules responsibility to “ensure the safe birth of regarding pending applications, court case the publicly governed territory which was decisions and their transfer to the new conceived as part of our aboriginal claim.” jurisdiction. Now that the Bill has passed third Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell reading it will go to the Senate. If the echoed Campbell’s comments saying Bill Senate approves the bill, it will receive One, two, three ... How many piles does it C-39 would give Interim Commissioner Royal Assent and be signed by the take to build a new legislative building? Jack Anawak the direction and confirma- Governor-General. NUNAVUT NEEDS MORE INFRASTRUCTURE LEADERS TELL COMMITTEE

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., representa- mittee to pay attention to certain areas that inter-provincial certified programs to spe- tives of various Inuit development firms would require more attention. T h e s e cialized trades that can fit the unique and other business leaders met with the include: needs of Nunavut communities; federal Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Northern Affairs in Iqaluit May 20. • establishing a clear set of implemen- • providing special training initiatives NTI President Jose Kusugak present- tation procedures for Article 24 of the such as the introduction of Junior ed a brief which outlined NTI’s goals for NLCA, for all federal departments and Achievement in Nunavut schools and Inuit economic development in Nunavut. agencies. Article 24 of the land claims communities; These goals, which were decided at a agreement is the section that deals with 1994 conference in , are: government contracting; • making high quality and well-coordi- nated business advisory services available • provide long-term, sustainable and • providing opportunities for Inuit to for Inuit in all communities. ecologically sound economic growth so take part in effective business manage- that all Inuit will benefit from increased ment training programs and other devel- • improving access to capital for Inuit employment, income and an ever rising opment opportunities; businesses. standard of living; • creating and expanding trades training • improving financial services to busi- • develop a skilled pool of Inuit man- programs to provide a combination of nesses at community level. agers and entrepreneurs through programs trades qualifications from the mainstream targeted at Inuit; • ensure Inuit businesses and organiza- What is a standing committee? tions have access to professional, objec- tive, and informed advice on business pro- Federal Government Standing Committees are made up of between seven and 15 grams and services available; Members of Parliament. Members are selected by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. • support all Inuit organizations in their A standing committee has the power to make recommendations or amendments to economic and business development legislation examined. The Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Northern plans; Development is currently examining Bill C-39 which are amendments to the Nunavut Act (see story on page 1). • improve economic policy coordina- Any amendments the Committee makes to the bill are included in the legislation. tion and communication between the The Senate has the power to further add on to these amendments. The Standing regions, Inuit associations and Inuit busi- Committee also provides reports on studies it has reviewed to the House of Commons, nesses; and provides recommendations by tabling a report in the House.

• foster strategic alliances between Standing Committees are appointed under the Standing Orders for the duration of a Nunavut businesses, large diversified Parliament. The committees can examine issues that are referred to them by the House companies and other organizations. of Commons. There are many different ways a referral can be made: To achieve these goals, NTI told the committee the North needed lower trans- 1) Legislation can be referred for study after second reading portation costs and improved communica- 2) Committees can be ordered to prepare a bill tion technology. 3) Committees oversee the works of a department and so review the department’s bud- Tagak Curley, president of Nunavut get, programs and policies. Construction Corporation emphasized the 4) They can also consider reports, returns or other papers tabled in the House in accor- need for greater access. dance with an Act of Parliament. “We envy people who have access to markets in southern Canada,” he said. A committee can also initiate their own studies as was the case with the Standing The problem with “gaining access to Committee on Aboriginal and Northern Development that came to Iqaluit to speak with capital” is most keenly felt in smaller Inuit NTI, the Development Corporations and other Inuit leaders. communities, Kusugak told the committee. The Standing Committee initiated a study on aboriginal economic development to Under the Nunavut Land Claims “ ... examine ways by which Aboriginal people, the private sector and governments can Agreement NTI, as the org a n i z a t i o n promote economic development and skills training to create employment and greater representing Inuit, will play a vital role in opportunities.” helping set government economic The study came out of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples that encour- development policy. aged training and economic opportunity for aboriginal people in Canada. As such, NTI’s brief urged the com- NTI Business Development Director complains about Nunatsiaq News editorial

NTI Business Development Director Brian McLeod recently wrote a letter to the editor of Nunatsiaq News. This is an excerpt from that letter which ran May 22, 1998.

Dear Sir:

The Nunatsiaq News April 29th Graduates of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program in Ottawa. NTI contributes scholarship Editorial (“Inuit Competing against funds to the program. Inuit?”) is filled with so many ill-consid- ered ideas that I do not believe it should Release salary ranges for public officials says be allowed to pass without comment. NTI President Jose Kusugak The piece starts out with the question the individual’s privacy. “Inuit competing against Inuit?”, as if this Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President “I do think that there should be a ball were some kind of unnatural event, like Jose Kusugak is calling on Interim park figure of what the position’s salary the birth of a two-headed caribou. Commissioner Jack Anawak to publicize the salary ranges for positions in the new levels are.” he said. One must assume the writer believes Government of Nunavut. Kusugak was responding to comments Inuit business should follow a different, “I’m a great believer in freedom of made recently by Interim Commissioner and more “Inuit” set of principles than information,” Kusugak said. “I think Jack Anawak on releasing such informa- those of ordinary business, principles that Nunavut should have the best of all tion. sidestep the messy issue of competition. Freedom of Information Acts in Canada.” Anawak said he would leave the dis- It is hard to imagine what these princi- Kusugak said individuals’ n a m e s closure decision to the new government ples might be. should not be attached to salary levels, rather than publish salary ranges now. In any case, if the editorial writer because the population of Nunavut is too Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has published thinks Inuit business people are not com- small and naming names would jeopardize the salary ranges for its executive members. petitive, it is unlikely that he has ever seen Jerry Ell lobbying for Qikiqtaaluk The salary policy line for elected officials Corporation, or Charlie Lyall work the floor at a mining show. President $122,283 1st Vice President $112,807 A little further along the writer refers 2nd Vice President $122,807 to the “abstract world of big-money Secretary/Treasurer $122,807 investment in which northern Canada’s Inuit birthright development corporations Salary Scale for NTI Staff Positions are using Inuit money.” NTI’s Executive Director receives between $85,093.60 - 127,640.40. Directors of This sentence warns the reader about a Lands, Human Resources, Implementation, Finance, Communications and all number of apparently very bad things. Executive Assistants to elected officials receive between $62,223.00 - 88,890. The Lands Manager, Environment/ Wildlife Manager, Mineral Resources Manager, First there is “abstract”. Business Development Manager and Enrollment Co-ordinator’s salaries range from To start with, I find it hard to believe $52,500 - 75,000. NTI’s Public Relations Officer, Editor and Finance Officer get that running a shipping company or an air- between $42,000 - 60,000. line is very abstract. The Lands Administrator, the Co-ordinator of the Inuit Firm Registry and the But the deeper implication of the use Assistant to the Nunavut Elders Benefit Plan receive between $31,500 - 45,000. of this word is more disturbing - clearly Executive Secretaries to elected officials make between $28,000 - 40,000. The Ac c o u n t s abstractions are something Inuit business Payable Clerk, Payroll Clerk and Human Resources Clerk receive between $28,000 - should avoid, and are better left to more 40,000. Administrative Assistants and Secretary’s salaries range from $26,250 - 37,500. sophisticated minds. The receptionist can earn between $21,000 - 30,000. Interpreter/Translators make between $39,000 - 49,000 while the GIS Co- continued on page 4 ordinator and technicians earn between $59,000 - 71,000 continued from page 3 stantiated comment about the risky nature succeed in business or self-determination. of the airline business. This whole editorial uses a kind of Then we run up against “big-money.” I guess he assumes Norterra is not pro- code. Again, very bad, particularly if it is com- fessional enough to carry out a due dili- Certain concepts are compacted into ing anywhere near an Inuit business. gence of Canadian North to find out if it’s code words that clearly carry strong emo- And then, worst of all, the horrible a good deal or not. tional impact, at least to the writer. spectacle of Inuit corporations using Inuit But from what I understand, Norterra We are invited to agree about the money. loathsome nature of “big-money”, “bureaucracy”, and the “elites”, without In the following paragraph the writer ever being given an explanation of why makes the assertion that these deals “may these are so offensive. one day cause different parts of Canada’s We must also join the writer in his Inuit land claim bureaucracy to be pitted broad-minded empathy for the “little peo- against one another.” ple”. Instead of providing well-researched Another bad thing - bureaucracy! And and rational analysis the writer serves up an interesting image - the heavies from this kind of sloganeering. Makivik scrimmaging with the heavies from NTI. But regrettably, extremely inac- I personally find the last paragraph of curate. this editorial to be one of the most infuri- Many Inuit political org a n i z a t i o n s atingly condescending pieces you have have economic development wings that published. are designed to set up subsidiary business- and Nunasi are getting involved in this Under cover of Protector of the Little es. deal precisely because they do think it’s People, the editorial writer has managed to In Nunavut, these development corpo- good business. imply that the business activities of Inuit rations are generally pretty independent. The editorial is a little meager on birthright Development Corporations are And the central Land Claims organiza- reflecting the views of informed observers futile and amateurish, and that all Inuit tion, NTI, does everything it can to keep or participants. people are foolish dupes of their own orga- an arm’s length relationship between itself Certain economic sectors like trans- nizations. from the operations of the birthright portation will always be needed in the I have not observed either of these to Development Corporations. North. be true. As the Development Corporations are Some of these, like owning an airline The DevCorps are being run compe- the owners of these new businesses, and or a shipping company, are indeed big tently and professionally. NTI has almost nothing to do with their money businesses. And furthermore, many Inuit in operations, it is kind of hard to see how But the very fact that they will always Nunavut are watching very closely how NTI and its bureaucracy will ever be pitted be here, and historically they have carted those corporations are being run, and mak- against another Inuit Land Claim organi- off millions of dollars per year to southern ing valuable comments to the zation, when it comes to business ques- Canada should be an excellent case for Corporations and to the Regional Inuit tions. their being taken over by Inuit, so money Associations about the Corporations’ per- and jobs stay here. formance. The editorial later expresses the view that Inuit ownership of First Air means Finally, the last paragraph. Brian McLeod nothing, because Inuit consumers are not Director of Business Development happy with First Air’s performance. “But the ordinary land claim NTI This is very confusing. Should Inuit beneficiaries who “own” these Rankin Inlet accept mediocre performance from a busi- corporate entities – the little ness just because it is Inuit-owned? people who have no power, no The First Air case should be taken as a money, and no involvement in If you have any questions, clear warning to Inuit business: just their decisions – may one day because a company is Inuit-owned doesn’t concerns or comments about wonder why their elites are using Nipisi or NTI please contact us mean it can ignore competitiveness and their land claim compensation customer service. money to play Monopoly against at 867-979-3232. You can fax the I also have a hard time following the each other.” Communications Department ensuing assertion that beneficiaries’ lives at 867-979-3240 or email us at are not affected by First Air. Ordinary Inuit - “the little people” - [email protected] are portrayed as passive and powerless. The general thrust of the editorial is Inuit business leaders - the “elites” are ••• that Inuit should not be getting involved in incompetent juveniles playing Monopoly the transportation business. Don’t forget to fill out the quiz with Inuit money. They obviously are not at the end of this newsletter. The writer provides a wealth of unsub- aware it is pointless for Inuit to attempt to NTI PROMOTES ECONOMIC Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board hears from NTI’s DEVELOPMENT IN NUNAVUT Hunter Support Program Funds also go to the Community The most important function NTI per- Economic Development Organizations for Bert Dean, Manager of NTI’s Hunter forms is negotiating contracting proce- small business support such as loans and Support Program and Secretary/Treasurer dures with governments under Article 24 grants. Bernadette Makpah spoke at the of the Land Claims Agreement. Article 24 Kakivak Association is the CEDO for Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board’s Annual deals with government contracting. the Baffin Region, Kivalliq Partners in General Meeting in Iqaluit June 2-5. NTI has entered into a number of Development is the CEDO for the After NTI elections in March execu- long-term initiatives with other partners Kivalliq, and the Kitikmeot Economic tive portfolios were shuffled. Makpah’s such as the Regional Inuit Associations Development Commission is in portfolio now includes the Hunter and the Regional Development Kitikmeot. Support Program. Corporations. Besides this money, the CEDOs also Besides introducing a new staff These initiatives commit the receive $300,000 a year from NTI through member, Gabriel Nirlungayuk, Dean told Government of Canada, the Te r r i t o r i a l the Nunavut Sivummut Program. the Board NTI is committed to improving Government, and Inuit to work together to The program offers grants to small regional communications to better serve ensure development of Inuit business business and each successful applicant to all Inuit. capacity, management expertise, a quali- the program can receive up to a maximum NTI is currently working with fied work force and long-term training of $3,000. Joanasie Akumalik and the QWB through programs. Inuit and the Government of Canada the Wildlife Working Group on address- NTI has come to an agreement with are also working on the monumental task ing concerns of hunters and improving the territorial government on contracting of cleaning-up the abandoned DEW-Line communication. procedures which are outlined in the sites that run across the north. In response to concerns about the Contracting Procedures for the Nunavut The development corporations from Hunter Support Program, NTI tendered a Settlement Area. the Baffin and Kitikmeot have entered or contract for an independent review of the As yet, NTI has not reached an agree- are near completing agreements with the program with recommendations. ment with the Government of Canada. Department of National Defence and The contract was won by Consilium It plans to continue negotiating for Indian Affairs and Northern Development in partnership with Qikiqtaaluk contracting procedures that will ensure to clean up a number of sites. Corporation. maximum benefit for Inuit through con- The development corporations are Questions they will be looking at tract awards, and through employment and also negotiating the environmental and include: long-term training plans. economic provisions for clean up of all NTI’s continuing mandate is to pro- remaining DEW Line sites, as well as w Are people approved under the pro- mote Inuit businesses. other dumps and work sites abandoned by gram assisting other families? One way to do that is through the the federal government. w Are they contributing to community Nunavut Investment Review Committee. Some of the factors considered in feasts and events? About $1.8 million is channeled negotiations are long-term training and w How do elders, widows or other peo- through the NIRC to Regional Inuit employment benefits for Inuit and the ple in need benefit? Associations and then on to the Inuit chance for other Nunavut contractors and w Should there be restrictions or rules birthright development corporations. suppliers to bid on sub-contracts. for use of equipment? N u n a v u t ’s birthright development N T I ’s Business Development w If misused or abused should the HTO corporations are Qikiqtaaluk Corporation Department is also gathering a list of Inuit reassign the equipment to another hunter? in the Baffin Region, Sakku Investments businesses in Nunavut to form the Inuit w How often do hunters go out on the Corporation in the and Business Registry. land to hunt? Kitikmeot Corporation. The list, a first of its kind in Nunavut, w Should those in outpost camps be Fund allocation and distribution are has to be considered by the Government of allowed to apply more often since they discussed and decided upon by the Canada and the territorial government are on the land full-time? Nunavut Investment Review Committee when they are issuing contracts. chaired by NTI President Jose Kusugak. After the review and recommenda- Others on the committee include the tions have been completed, they will be Presidents of the three RIAs, the chairper- If you need more information on submitted to NTI’s Board for approval. sons of the three regional birthright devel- economic development in Nunavut NTI is also working with the GNWT’s opment corporations, Nunasi Corporation, please contact: Resource, Wildlife and Economic NTI’s Executive Director, NTI’s Director Development department to modify and of Business Development Brian McLeod at 1-800-645-5415 complement existing programs. Some of the NIRC money also goes to or NTI also wants to work closer with Development Corporations for their own Terry Forth at 1-867-979-3232 the regional organizations to further joint business activities. ventures. NIPISI

Editor Judith Pereira

Contributors Bill Sackett Eva Michael

Circulation 6,500

Inuit workers paint the piles for the new legislature. To take a look at the building process, visit the construction site behind the Parnaivik building. Watch for more pictures in future Printer issues of Nipisi. Nortext Multimedia ON THE MOVE AT NTI You can reach us by Phone: 867-979-3232 w Mona Kaosoni is the new receptionist w Nancy Tagalik has joined the Finance in Cambridge Bay. Department as the Accounting and Fax: 867-979-3240 Administrative Clerk. Tagalik is on a six- Email: w Allan Maclure has accepted the legal month term. She brings to the organization [email protected] counsel position and will assume his her extensive background in finance and Mail: P.O. Box 638 duties June 22 in Iqaluit. He will be work- administration with the Government of the Iqaluit, N.T ing closely with NTI’s other legal counsel, Northwest Territories. She started May 19. Lauri Pelly in Cambridge Bay. Maclure X0A 0H0 will be moving up from Toronto. w Lillian Aglukark has been appointed Executive Assistant to Secretary/Treasurer Bernadette Makpah. Aglukark has worked with Inuit organizations for more than five QUIZ years. She was Assistant to the Executive Director of the Kivalliq Inuit Association. Aglukark also worked in a similar capaci- 1. What is Bill C-39 about? ty for Makpah at KIA. More recently, Aglukark worked at Nunavut Construction 2. Which federal Standing Committee came to Iqaluit in Corporation. She is in her third and final May? year of the Sivulliutit Management Studies Program. 3. Name the Community Economic Development w Margaret Kusugak has been offered Organization in the Baffin. the position of Executive Secretary to the Secretary/Treasurer for an indeterminate 4. Name the birthright development corporations in each period. Kusugak’s previously worked for region. Nunatsiaq M.P Nancy Karetak-Lindell in Ottawa.

5. Which federal party did not vote in favour of Bill C-39? w Judith Pereira, editor of Nipisi, is leav- ing the Communications Department to work with the Office of the Interim (Send in the answers to the quiz and the first twelve people with all the Commissioner. Nipisi will continue to be right answers will receive a prize. Over the last 10 months, Nipisi has issued by the Communications received responses from every community in Nunavut. While we could Department. Pereira will sorely miss the not give out prizes to everyone, each response was much appreciated.) staff at NTI. They are the best. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!