Gwich'in Tribal Council member concerned over lack of remote option at Inuvik meeting
The president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council in Inuvik, N.W.T., is expressing concern over the Gwich'in Tribal Council's decision not to let people participate remotely in its most recent board meeting.
The meeting was held Wednesday and Thursday in Inuvik.
Kelly McLeod said the date of the meeting was already postponed multiple times from March to May. He booked a personal trip during the end of May. When he found out the proposed dates of the meeting, he requested virtual attendance, over phone or video call.
He said his requests went unanswered by some members of the board, while others said they were in favour of the remote call-in.
It's the latest issue contributing to a tense relationship between Gwich'in Tribal Council Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr. and some of the community councils whose presidents sit on the board.
McLeod said participants under the Gwich'in land claim were previously invited to attend board meetings virtually and could log in and view the meetings as they happened.
This was also not allowed this past meeting.
"It's never been an issue in the past. The previous board highly encouraged virtual participation, participation by members in the south — like we have had a number of participants log onto the links available and watch the meetings," said McLeod.
When asked why virtual participation was denied this meeting, Blake said council members decide for each meeting whether they want people to be able to remotely participate.
"The last couple meetings, board members had concerns about virtual [attendance] because they wanted everybody to be together in one place. You know it's challenging times, as you can imagine, the board is in. That's what they want to do, I believe, is build a stronger team," said Blake.
McLeod says he wanted to attend the meeting to address some issues he has with the council regarding governance, finance and leadership. He said he is concerned that the council is only following bylaws when it's suitable for them.
"You need to follow the bylaws and the policy and, more importantly, Gwich'in law, which is our Gwich'in value system. Excluding myself, I have seen an uproar of participants asking to attend virtually and they have been denied," said McLeod.
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