- Kuujjuaq Declaration Passed
- Sheila Watt-Cloutier Elected ICC Chair
Kuujjuaq – Thursday August 15, 2002
The 9th General Assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC), representing Inuit of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, concluded today in Kuujjuaq following four days of deliberation on topics of concern to the Inuit world.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary ICC elected a new Chair – Sheila Watt-Cloutier, of Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (northern Quebec). Ms. Watt-Cloutier takes over the helm of the organization from outgoing President Aqqaluk Lynge of Greenland who has held the position of ICC President since 1997.
Stepping down as Chair, Mr. Lynge said, “It is a person’s life work, and the best work to do, with honour, serving your people. I have been privileged to serve as ICC President for the past six years, and leave the position knowing that the Inuit unity we have been building – for more than the 22 years I have been working within ICC – will continue.”
Mr. Lynge was given the Bill Edmunds Award, presented at each General Assembly to an Inuk for outstanding contributions for the issue of human rights for Inuit.
Sheila Watt-Cloutier is well known for her work in representing Inuit in negotiations to conclude a global convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPS), signed in Stockholm Sweden in May 2001.
The essence of the Inuit message articulated during the week is detailed in the “Kuujjuaq Declaration”, a comprehensive document endorsed by delegates, containing the goals and objectives that ICC will work towards over the next four years.
The “Kuujjuaq Declaration” builds on work conducted by ICC since its creation in 1977. These include the Principles and Elements for a Comprehensive Arctic Policy published in 1991, and reports presented at the Assembly by the Inuit Language Commission, the Inuit Communications Commission, and the Inuit Commission on Trade.
The Declaration also builds on issues discussed this week, notably on the United Nations, self-government, human rights, social challenges, environment, sustainable development, communications, economy and trade, and youth and elders.
ICC will continue its work to keep the Arctic environment safe from trans-boundary pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals, rapid climate change and, generally, unsustainable development. To this end ICC will continue to urge governments to ratify the 2001 Stockholm Convention on POPs, and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
As well, the Kuujjuaq Declaration urges ICC to continue to represent Inuit interests in international organizations including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, European Union, Organization of American States, World Trade Organization, and the eight-nation Arctic Council.
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Source:
Stephen Hendrie
Inuit Circumpolar Conference Media Centre
(819) 964-1794 ext 235
Messages: (613) 277-3178
hendrie@itk.ca
Lisa Koperqualuk
Makivik Corporation
(819) 964-1794 ext 235
koperqualuk@makivik.org
Robert Mackey
Nunavik Tourism Association
(819) 964-1794 ext 235
nta@nunavik-tourism.com