February 7, 2003
School Board calls impending
framework agreement futile
The framework agreement
for Nunavik self-government has not been released yet, but the Kativik School
Board is already highlighting what it perceives to be flaws in the document.
"It seems to be a
lot of trouble to go through, to simply rearrange the furniture, gain nothing
and risk disrupting services to the population," a press release issued
by the school board on Feb. 5 says.
The board cautioned that
the new agreement promises to amalgamate Nunaviks various administrative
bodies into one "unified entity" without guaranteeing additional powers
to the body. It also offers no guarantee to protect the regions education
budget under proposed block-funding.
The board reiterated its
long-repeated accusation that Makivik Corporation, which appointed the negotiators
for the self-government talks with the provincial and federal governments, is
acting without the mandate of Nunavimmiut.
"Makivik has been
acting unilaterally and without authorization, as if it alone was the Nunavik
Party. At no time was Makivik ever given the mandate to enter into any type
of negotiations on behalf of the people of Nunavik," the release says.
"If we are hoping
to have our own government, we must learn to govern according to rules. Nobody
is above the law, not even Makivik. Instead of bullying ahead, perhaps Makivik
should learn to work with other Nunavik organizations to build a true Inuit
consensus."
Makivik received a copy
of the release late Wednesday. Officials said they could not respond to the
document before Nunatsiaq Newss publication deadline.
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