Background
By resolution number 98-14 “Regarding Language and Communication”, adopted at the General Assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (“ICC”) in Nuuk, Greenland, in July 1998, directed that the ICC establish an ICC Communications Commission.
The establishment of the Commission recognizes the need for all Inuit to work together to develop communications between and amongst the different regions of the Circumpolar region. The establishment of the Commission also recognizes that it is necessary for ICC to take a lead role in advancing the communication amongst Inuit and in developing and implementing a Circumpolar Communications Plan.
The establishment of the Commission is consistent with the purposes of the ICC to “strengthen unity among Inuit of the Circumpolar region” and to “ensure the endurance and the growth of Inuit culture and societies for both the present and future generations”.
Purpose
The purpose of the Commission is:
To act as a forum for Inuit to discuss activities, opportunities and issues regarding communication between and amongst the Inuit regions and communications between Inuit and other aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples. This should include discussions concerning the use and development of television, radio, the internet, telephone, and other media.
To develop and recommend a circumpolar communications plan to be adopted by ICC regarding activities, opportunities and issues regarding communication between and amongst the Inuit regions and communications between Inuit and other aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples, which should include (but not be limited to):
a) Television and radio broadcasts;
b) Web site development, to be maintained by ICC personnel;
c) The use of the internet; and
d) An inventory of all indigenous broadcast agencies.
To act as a forum for Inuit to identify actions that ICC, each of its Member Parties, the governments having jurisdiction in the Inuit Homeland and all Inuit can take that will result in increased communication between and amongst the Inuit regions and communications between Inuit and other aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples that is controlled and directed by Inuit and consistent with the Circumpolar Communications Plan.
To provide recommendation to the Executive Council concerning actions, methods and opportunities concerning activities, opportunities and issues regarding communication between and amongst the Inuit regions and communications between Inuit and other aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples.
Membership
Each of the Member Parties of ICC, being Inuit Circumpolar Conference (Canada) Inc., Inuit Circumpolar Conference Alaska, ICC Greenland and ICC Russia, shall appoint one member to the Commission. Members appointed to the Commission should have an extensive knowledge of the issues and concerns surrounding activities, opportunities and issues regarding communication between and amongst the Inuit regions and communications between Inuit and other aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples.
The President of ICC shall appoint one additional member to Commission who shall be the Chairman of the Commission.
Any member of the Commission may be removed and replaced by the Member Party or President (as the case may be) who appointed them.
Accountability And Reporting
The Commission shall take direction from, be accountable to and report to the Executive Council through the President of ICC.
The Commission shall make a detailed report to the Executive Council at least once each year detailing the activities of the Commission in the preceding year and any recommendations that the Commission can or wishes to make at that time.
The Commission shall provide a detailed report of all of its activities, a complete set of recommendations and results of any reviews or investigations to the Executive Council three (3) months prior to the next General Assembly of the ICC. This report shall contain a recommendation, with reasons, on whether the Commission should have its mandate renewed.
The Commission may provide the Executive Council with any other reports or recommendations, concerning matters within its mandate, that the Commission deems appropriate.
The Commission shall meet at least once each year, at a place and time, agreed to by the President. The Commission may submit requests for other meetings to the President who shall present them to the Executive Council. The Executive Council is under no obligation to agree to any other meetings.
The Executive Council, after receiving and reviewing a report of the Commission or on its own initiative, may provide the Commission with further and additional directions which the Commission shall treat as additions to these terms of reference and adjust its activities accordingly.
Funding
The funding for the activities of the Commission shall be determined by the Executive Council. It is expected that the activities of the Commission will require no more than one face to face meeting each year and that the costs of the Commission should be modest.
Activities
The activities of the Commission shall be carried out either by the members of the Commission or by ICC staff directed by the President on a request by the Commission.
The Commission shall carry out the following activities in fulfillment of its purpose:
To consult Inuit on the elements, principles and scope of a Circumpolar Communications Plan;
To develop and recommend, based on those consultations, and other relevant information and considerations, a Circumpolar Communications plan for adoption by the Executive Council;
To investigate, and to make recommendation to the Executive Council concerning opportunities for increased communication between and amongst the Inuit regions and communications between Inuit and other aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples and to act on the direction of the Executive Council concerning such recommendations.