QIA President PJ Akeeagok looks to Baffin Inuit for mandate

The new president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association says, when it comes to creating a mandate for his next four years, it's all about what the beneficiaries want.

"It's the only way."

PJ Akeeagok says his first community visits as president have been "very humbling."

"I've met hundreds of hundreds of Inuit," said Akeeagok in a feature interview on CBC Qulliq Monday morning. "All along I've always said that the mandate should come from the people and I'm working hard to reconnect with the people to set that mandate."

Last week, Akeeagok spent 4 days in Pond Inlet and he visited Arctic Bay earlier this year. 

While in Pond Inlet, he met with various local groups, including the hamlet council. But he also went door-to-door visiting elders who couldn't make it to community events.

"I really wanted to emphasize the importance of elders."

But Akeeagok says the highlight was meeting with youth at Nasivvik High School and teaching them about the importance of the Inuit organization.

"While I was going to school, I saw the importance behind key political figures coming to the school," said Akeeagok, adding that few leaders made the trip to his hometown of Grise Fiord, Nunavut (pop. 150).

Support for seismic testing, a 'tough question'

When it comes to some of the biggest issues facing Baffin Inuit, Akeeagok spoke broadly about the role of QIA in the lives of Inuit, while staying mum on some of the biggest controversies.

"Whether it's on-the-land programs that allow the participants to go hunting, there's different ways where QIA really participates and plays a role" said Akeeagok about food insecurity. 

When it comes to Nutrition North and last year's scathing report from the federal auditor general, Akeeagok gave no clear opinion, but said "we'll look at all the options available in terms of providing our input and what we're hearing from our beneficiaries." 

As for the potential for oil and gas development in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut, Akeeagok said he's "really excited" to see a report from a recent summit held in Iqaluit. 

But Akeeagok would not take a stand on behalf of QIA in regards to Clyde River's current seismic testing legal battle.

"I think they have valid concerns," he said. "But that's a tough question to answer."