Press Release
March 27, 2007 – President Pita Aatami is pleased to see the commencement of Makivvik’s 29th general assembly in Umiujaq this year. The Makivvik delegates were welcomed by Davidee Sapa, mayor of this Inuit community of over 300 on the east coast of the Hudson Bay.
The agenda over the coming 4 days will discuss Housing and Marine Infrastructure development in Nunavik and updates on the implementation of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) as well as the more recent Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement (NILCA). One of the Nunavik Negotiators will present a report on the negotiations process of the Nunavik Government. It is hoped that more progress and an eventual signature will be obtained for the Agreement in Principle after the provincial elections have passed.
The subsidiaries of Makivvik; First Air, Air Inuit, Halutik Enterprises, Nunavik Creations; and joint ventures Pan Arctic Inuit Logistics (PAIL), Cruise North Expeditions Inc, Unaaq Fisheries Inc, and Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping (NEAS) will be presenting their activity reports to the assembly. The Nunavik Research Center based in Kuujjuaq also presents its activity report at this time.
Social issues such as Justice, high cost of living including the gasoline cost, JBNQA eligibility, and the Dog Slaughter issue will receive attention by the Inuit delegates and each member is also expected to bring a community report.
The financial statements of Makivvik are approved during the early part of the assembly. This year the beneficiaries’ equity is at $216,117,099 with retained earnings of $91,907,349. Earnings have seen an increase compared to last year due to excellent results from the subsidiary companies. Funds that are provided through the Sanarrutik Agreement also allowed regional organizations such as Avataq Cultural Institute, Taqramiut Nipingat Inc, Saputiit Inuit Youth Association; the Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Association; and the Nunavik Landholding Corporation Association to receive over $3 million dollars in total.
Makivvik is the Inuit owned economic development company created following the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975. Its mandate includes political representation of the 9,800 Inuit of Nunavik, the administration of the funds stemming from the Agreement. Makivvik owns subsidiary companies such as Air Inuit, First Air, Nunavik Creations, Halutik Enterprises, and jointly owned Cruise North, and jointly owns with other Inuit regional corporations Pan Arctic Inuit Logistics (PAIL) and Unaaq Fisheries.
-30-
Lisa Koperqualuk
Communications Officer
Makivvik
koperqualuk@makivik.org
514-745-8880
in Umiujaq 819-331-7152