Qikiqtani Inuit report $7M surplus, leadership change

The board of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association is discussing ways to spend a $7M surplus — largely the result of the Inuit Impacts and Benefits Agreement for the Baffinland iron ore mine.

QIA began it's regular board meetings yesterday after a weather delay.

Outgoing President Okalik Eegeesiak confirmed yesterday that most of the surplus from the 2012/2013 financial year stems from Baffinland Iron Mines.

“They're on Inuit-owned lands so we have a lease agreement with them that brings in money. A large portion of that $7 million is from the signing of the IIBA and it's implementation.”

Board members will also review departmental reports and the recommendations for the Inuit Impact Benefits Agreement for the North Bathurst territorial park at their regular meetings this week.

They’ll also discuss proposed oil and gas exploration.

Okalik Eegeesiak moving on

QIA will also have to make plans to elect a new president. 

Eegeesiak announced yesterday that she’ll resign from the organization effective July 24 in order to take on a new role as the International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council.

Eegeesiak was president of QIA for five years.

As ICC chair, she’ll serve as a spokesperson for Inuit from across the circumpolar world.

Every four years, the Inuit organization puts forward a new chair, rotating between the different member countries.

Eegeesiak was nominated by Canadian Inuit leaders to be the next chair.

The ICC will hold its next general meeting in Inuvik, N.W.T. in July. At that time, she will have to be officially elected by Inuit delegates from Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia.