Nunavut leader threatens Inuit boycott of residential schools commission
Last Updated: Monday, June 8, 2009 | 3:41 PM CT
The Canadian Press
Related
Internal Links
The reformed truth and reconciliation commission into Indian residential schools is running into controversy even before it starts.
One longtime northern leader and politician says he has significant support for an Inuit boycott of the commission unless an Inuit commissioner is appointed.
Former Nunavut commissioner Peter Irniq says it's essential that one of the commissioners be able to speak the Inuit language and understand the unique experience of Inuit people and their history with residential schools.
The names of the three commissioners are expected to be officially announced in the coming days, but according to a list obtained by The Canadian Press, none is Inuit.
Two residential schools existed in the Western Arctic and Irniq estimates there are up to 1,000 Inuit still alive who attended them.
Share Tools
Latest North News Headlines
- Yukoners need to change poverty perceptions, says report
- A new report on poverty in Yukon is calling for action from the territorial government. However, poverty activists are also calling for Yukoners to adjust their attitudes. more »
- Iqaluit man pleads guilty to drug and sex offences
- A sentencing hearing is underway today in Iqaluit for the man who once ran the so-called 'Qikiqtaaluk Compassion Society' where he sold marijuana. more »
- Investigation finds 3 electoral violations in N.W.T. riding
- There were three violations of the elections act during last fall's N.W.T. election. All three happened in the Monfwi riding. more »
- N.W.T. budget calls for $74M surplus
- The N.W.T. is forecasting its first surplus in five years in its 2012-2013 budget, Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger announced in the legislative assembly this afternoon. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's family asks for government help
- The family of a Toronto woman who died in pursuit of her lifelong dream to climb Mount Everest is asking the Canadian government to help pay the cost of bringing her body back to Canada. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
- Foreign investment review threshold rising to $1 billion
- The federal government is raising to $1 billion the amount of foreign money that can go into a Canadian company before the investment is reviewed. more »
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- Organ donation advocate Hèlène Campbell of Ottawa made her second appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, but her first since undergoing a double-lung transplant. more »
- Investigation finds 3 electoral violations in N.W.T. riding
- Iqaluit man pleads guilty to drug and sex offences
- Whitehorse man appeals drunk driving conviction
- N.W.T. budget calls for $74M surplus
- Yukoners need to change poverty perceptions, says report
- N.W.T. commissioner's goals for the territory
- Memorial service held Saturday for Ice Pilots' Arnie Schreder
- Winning lottery ticket sold in Whitehorse
- Baker Lake hunters worry mine will disturb caribou
