Published 2:30 pm Friday, November 28, 2025 By Darrell Greer Northern News Services Contrasting visions between the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) and the Kangiqliniq Hunters & Trappers Organization (KHTO) have led to a tense exchange of words between the two Inuit organizations. KHTO chair Sam Alagalak accused the KIA of putting royalties from Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) ahead of Inuit culture, a claim that did not sit well with KIA President Kono Tattuinee. Alagalak, who was also the KIA’s secretary/treasurer until Nov. 3 — he’s seeking re-election — was upset when both the KIA and AEM representatives walked out of a recent Terrestrial Advisory Group (TAG) meeting due to his presence, as he explains it. Alagalak had been warned by KIA chief operating officer Gabriel Karlik via email on Nov. 3, advising of a conflict of interest and asking Alagalak not to attend the upcoming TAG meeting. When Alagalak attended the meeting anyway, both the KIA and AEM representatives boycotted the meeting and further infuriated Alagalak. The KIA issued a press release on Nov. 10 to refute Alagalak’s claims. In it, the association called the KHTO’s mining road blockade “illegal” — that protest was meant to express disapproval of the KIA’s activities. The association also took aim at “unfounded accusations,” which the KIA “expressly denied” and called “false.” “In this case you have non-renewable resources, which is gold, and then you have renewable resources, which is caribou,” said Alagalak. “The KIA collects royalties and other fees from AEM, but they’re also mandated to protect our culture, tradition, language and wildlife. There’s a huge conflict of interest in itself. “One of the things that needs to happen is to take one or the other when it comes to mining,” Alagalak added. “You go with wildlife management or environmental stewardship, or you handle and manage the Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement and royalties. You want any sitting board at KIA to have a clear mandate of one or the other, but not both. “One cannot serve two masters, and that’s what’s happening right now. There’s a lot of money at stake for KIA and things depend on the priorities of the sitting president (Kono Tattuinee).” The KIA also unequivocally denied any collusion with AEM or any attempt to silence or undermine any elected member, the news release reads. The press release also stated that the KIA’s decision to withdraw from the TAG meeting was based on legitimate concerns regarding conflict of interest and was necessary to protect KIA employees from a situation of potential conflict. Tattuinee arrived back in Rankin Inlet last week and said under the land claims and under a designated Inuit association or organization, such as Kivalliq Inuit Association, their goal has always been to preserve Inuit culture, to preserve their environment and to work hand-in-hand with Inuit of the region. Tattuinee said, in essence, under their agreements with Agnico Eagle, which were negotiated before he took office, there are clauses for reopening negotiations at certain points in time or triggered by particular events. If, for example, there’s a proposed drastic change to one of the mines — like an extension of production — then the KIA is in position to renegotiate what’s best for their people, he explained. “The decision to withdraw from the TAG meeting was made after careful consideration and was based on the KIA’s legitimate concerns regarding a potential to preserve our environment,” said Tattuinee. “Given Kivalliq Inuit’s multi-faceted role in the region, including some of our responsibilities related to the land claims, resource management and community development, we recognize that our participation in the TAG meetings could create situations where our interests might be perceived as conflicting with those of other stakeholders,” he added. “The Kivalliq Inuit Association must protect its employees from any potential conflict of interest, and it’s expected to be able to maintain and protect the integrity of the advisory process. “We determined that withdrawal was the most prudent course of action. We remain committed to open communication and collaboration with all stakeholders, on all matters related to terrestrial management in the region. We are looking forward to the next TAG meeting scheduled for January of 2026.”
KIA stands firm on decision to withdraw from recent Terrestrial Advisory Group meeting
