ManitobaThe Manitoba Inuit Association has terminated its former CEO, Nastania Mullin, one week after an Ottawa woman came forward with allegations of abuse, amid a growing #InuitMeToo movement expressing concerns about his conduct.‘Change is happening because courage spoke louder than fear’: advocateKaren Pauls · CBC News · Posted: Nov 07, 2025 8:25 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The Manitoba Inuit Association has fired its former CEO, Nastania Mullin, amidst allegations of sexual abuse, and has hired an outside organization to do an investigation. (Jaison Empson/CBC)The Manitoba Inuit Association (MIA) has terminated its former CEO, Nastania Mullin, one week after an Ottawa woman came forward with allegations of abuse, amid a growing #InuitMeToo movement expressing concerns about his conduct.In a social media post late Friday, MIA said it “hears the concerns expressed these past weeks within the community. After an intensive review, the MIA Board has made the decision to terminate Nastania Mullin.”On Nov. 7, the Manitoba Inuit Association announced it had fired CEO Nastania Mullin, pictured here in 2019, when he was acting director for policy and consumer affairs for the Nunavut government. (Travis Burke/CBC)It has appointed an interim chief executive officer and engaged an outside organization to conduct an “independent and trauma based investigation,” said the post, signed by the board of directors.“MIA stands together with our Inuit women, 2LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse community members against intimate partner and sexual violence of any kind,” it said, adding it is committed to supporting those impacted and fostering safety, respect and healing.No one from MIA responded to requests for more information.Ruth Gustaw came forward to CBC News with allegations of sexual assault involving Mullin. (CBC/Zoom)The termination comes one week after Ruth Gustaw, 36, told CBC News that Mullin allegedly sexually assaulted her in his mother’s Iqaluit home more than 20 years ago. Gustaw, who now lives in Ottawa, and one other woman have made formal complaints against Mullin with the RCMP and Ottawa Police Service, respectively. The woman requested confidentiality because she fears repercussions against her or her family. Inuit leader replaced amid allegations of abuseOttawa woman speaks out against former head of Manitoba Inuit AssociationNone of the allegations have been proven in court, and Mullin has not been charged. When reached by phone Friday evening, Mullin said there is no comment he can make at this time.Gustaw reacts to the newsAfter seeing the post, Gustaw said she was glad MIA “made the right decision.” She said it was never about spreading hate or “taking someone down,” but rather, “it was about using my voice to tell the truth.”Gustaw says she got the courage to come forward when she saw others speaking up as part of a social media movement dubbed #InuitMeToo. “Couldn’t have done this without them and for that I am so grateful,” she said.More than 1,300 people had signed a petition created by Inuk advocate Crystal Martin,calling on MIA to look into allegations of sexual and physical abuse against Mullin. Martin is not one of those alleging abuse.Mullin’s termination is “a necessary and monumental step forward for our communities,” Martin told CBC News.Inuk advocate Crystal Martin started a petition calling on Manitoba Inuit Association to look into allegations of sexual and physical abuse against Mullin. (Submitted by Crystal Martin)“Inuit women and gender-diverse Inuit have long called for justice, accountability, and safety within our institutions and their voices must remain at the center of this moment,” she said. “While this decision represents progress, it also serves as a reminder that real change requires ongoing work.”Martin says the alleged survivors must be the priority because “their courage and resilience are what drive meaningful reform.” She has launched a fundraising campaign to help cover fees for those seeking legal representation.Other groups show support for movementShe says the community continues to call on Inuit organizations to commit to stronger board governance, trauma-informed leadership and comprehensive training that reflects Inuit values of respect, inclusion and collective responsibility. Several prominent Inuit organizations, including the Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association, also came out in support of the movement.WATCH | Gustaw shares her story:Ottawa woman speaks out against former head of Manitoba Inuit AssociationInuit women and gender-diverse people say a grassroots social media movement publicizing allegations of sexual and physical assault against the former CEO of the Manitoba Inuit Association is giving them the courage to come forward with their own accusations against him.On Friday, Amautiit president Tara Qunngaataq Tootoo Fotheringham said the decision on Mullin was “a long time coming.”“We commend the brave women and supporters of the #InuitMeToo movement who refused to be silenced and ensured that their voices remained as strong as they were 30 days ago,” she said, adding she has heard from others with similar allegations about Mullin and other male Inuit leaders. Tootoo Fotheringham is not one of those alleging abuse.“Change is happening because courage spoke louder than fear.”ABOUT THE AUTHORKaren Pauls covers Manitoba stories for CBC national news. She has worked across Canada, U.S. and Europe, and in CBC bureaus in Washington, London and Berlin. In 2025, Karen was the first recipient of CBC’s Audio Doc Unit fellowship program. Awards include the New York Festivals for coverage of the Greyhound bus beheading, and the Radio Television Digital News Association for stories about asylum seekers, the Michif language, the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, and the royal wedding. In 2007, Karen received the Canadian Association of Journalist’s Dateline Hong Kong Fellowship and did a radio documentary on the 10th anniversary of the deadly avian flu outbreak. Story tips at karen.pauls@cbc.ca. Follow Karen on InstagramFollow Karen on BlueskyFollow Karen on X
Manitoba Inuit Association terminates former CEO amid abuse allegations
