Quassa shuffles NTI executive portfolios

By NUNATSIAQ NEWS

MICHAELA RODRIGUE

IQALUIT — Nunavut Tunngavik President Paul Quassa has shuffled the responsibilities of his executive and is preparing to tackle some of Nunavut’s social problems.

Quassa made the shuffle after meeting with executive members in Iqaluit two weeks ago.

He said roles and responsibilities were shuffled to bring new ideas to the table.

“We wanted to change different portfolios to get some new ideas going on these programs that we have,” Quassa said. ” To see whether executive members could have more ideas.”

Quassa will use his portfolio, which includes policy development, the Nunavut Social Development Council and benefits for elders, youth and women to kick start work on Nunavut’s social problems.

“This is a good time to have NTI focus on other fronts such as social issues. It’s a big issue in Nunavut and the majority of those affected are beneficiaries,” Quassa said.

Leading up to his election, Quassa campaigned for cash benefits for land claim beneficiaries. And he said NTI had a role to play in fixing social problems such as housing and the need for youth centres.

Quassa plans to hire youth and elder advisers. As well an elder and youth representative will be asked to attend executive meetings.

Quassa has added the institutions of public government to his portfolio. He will monitor bodies such as the Nunavut Water Board and the Nunavut Impact Review Board and make sure they are fulfilling their role under the Nunavut land claim. He said it falls under his responsibility for implementation.

“The other part that’s very important is the implementation part,” he said.

In a report released last year, NTI criticized the federal government for not passing accompanying legislation for the institutions of public government.

Quassa is also responsible for constitutional issues, such as political development, administration of the executive director’s office, the implementation department, the legal department and the communications department.

NTI’s vice-president of finance, Bernadette Tungilik, has taken over responsibility for business development, the Inuit firm registry and Article 24 of the land claim agreement.

Former president Jose Kusugak previously held these responsibilities, but Quassa said it makes sense for the director of finance to take over.

“The vice-president of finance has a much stronger background. It does seem to be more appropriate,” Quassa said.

Tungilik will also head up NTI’s internal finance department, Article 23 of the land claim agreement, which deals with Inuit employment and training by the Nunavut government.

She is also responsible for the $13 million human resources and training development fund for designated Inuit organizations, NTI’s enrollment initiative, and the Nunavut Trust.

First vice-president James Eetoolook has taken over responsibility for the Nunavut Harvester Support Program from Tungilik.

He is also responsible for parks and conservation and the environment.

Second vice-president Raymond Ningeocheak is now responsible for NTI’s staffing, the Inuit Heritage Trust, wildlife, and the Elders Pension Program.

NTI also recently hired three new advisers on policy issues.

* Pitseolak Pfeifer is the new assistant director of implementation. Pfeifer was previously chief executive officer of the Qikiqtaaluk Corp.
* Derek Rasmussen is now a policy and research adviser.
* Ann Quirke will advise NTI on social and cultural issues.

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