42 Directors Meeting

once every 3 years, a 42 Directors Meeting is held to bring together voices from all the Inuvialuit communities. Directors of the Inuvialuit regional Corporation (I rC) and its corporations as well as elder and youth representatives convene, to discuss current issues faced by Inuvialuit, and to decide on courses of action that could be taken in the future.

The first of these meetings happened in May 2006. IRC board members wanted formalized, face-to-face meetings with all community corporation directors.

o n february 9th to 12th 2009, the 42 directors from the six Inuvialuit regions met in Inuvik, at the Midnight s un recreation Complex. Topics of discussion ranged from the impact the worldwide recession will have on standards of living, to the roles and mandates of the Elders’ Committees. With so many issues on the table, it was a wonder that everything was accomplished in three days. The meeting was considered a success by all accounts.

Towards the conclusion of the meeting, n ellie Cournoyea, Chair and CEo of I rC called on Marianne Green from p aulatuk to speak.

Marianne had attended the meeting as one of the youth delegates. a s she leaned closer to her microphone, you could hear the pride she felt in being chosen to attend this event.

Members in attendance a lthough she was nervous, her words spoke to everyone in the room and they responded with loud applause. Directions to the I rC board that emerged as a result of these meetings are being circulated among the Community Corporations for review and will be brought back to the next board meeting.

Aklavik: Carol D. Arey (Chair), Dennis Arey, Foster Arey, Andrew Gordon Sr., Don D. Storr. Inuvik: Duane Smith (Chair), Ethel Gruben, Roy Ipana, Lucy Kuptana, Jerry Lennie, Edgar Maring. Paulatuk: Gilbert Thrasher Sr. (Chair), Fred Bennett, Debbie Gordon-Ruben, Jonah Nakimayak, Ray Ruben, Andy Thrasher, Millie Thrasher. Sachs Harbour: Manny Kudlak (Chair), Beverly Amos, Earl Esau, Priscilla Haogak, Joe Kudlak, Floyd Lennie, Ryan Lucas. Tuktoyaktuk: Robert B. Gruben (Chair), Eric Cockney, Lucy Cockney, Eddie Dillon, Lennie Emaghok, Charles (Chucky) Gruben, Merven Gruben. Ulukhaktok: Colin Okheena (Chair), Adam Inuktalik, Lillian Kanayok, Richard Notaina, Gilbert Olifie, Joshua Oliktoak.

Youth representatives included: Mary Gordon (Aklavik), Marion Green (Paulatuk), Chelsey Elanik (Sachs Harbour), Lennie Gruben (Tuk) and Margaret Akoakhion (Ulukhaktok).

Elders representatives included: Annie B. Gordon (Aklavik), John Banksland (Inuvik), Lottie Thrasher (Paulatuk), Margaret Carpenter (Sachs Harbour), Jean Gruben (Tuk) and Robert Kuptana (Ulukhaktok).

Staff of Community Corporations in attendance included: Aklavik - Agnes Tardiff, Eva Gordon, Eugene Pascal; Inuvik - Ester J. Allen; Paulatuk - Anne Thrasher; Sachs Harbour - Donna Keogak; and Tuk - Lena Kotokak.

Inuvik was taken over once again this January by keen hockey players and spectators, anxious to be present at the battle for the title of IRC Hockey Cup champion.

The first day was hard for team Paulatuk Storm. Their namesake, the storms that comes through the Paulatuk area, left half their players stormed in and unable to travel. This setback did not slow the Paulatuk players who made it to Inuvik. They lost their first game to the Flames, but they went into shootouts to determine the winner.

There were 13 teams that competed in this year’s tournament. The ‘A’ Division saw the return of some fierce competitors, and the ‘B’ Division saw the return of some favorites. “The Old Dogs are my favorite team,” said elder Emma Dick. “I love watching their games. I try to go to them all.”

Here are some of the tournament highlights. In the ‘B’ Division championship game, Ulukhaktok’s team took on the Old Dogs from Inuvik. It was a well-played game, with plenty of excitement for the fans. Both teams had speedy players and excellent teamwork. With only a onepoint lead, the Old Dogs fought till the end and came out victorious with a score of 4-3.

The ‘A’ Division championship game was also thrilling. The Northwind team from Inuvik and the EGT Nanooks team from Tuktoyaktuk were set to square off once again in the finals. For the last four years, it had always come down to these two teams. They had developed a faithful following of fans. The crowd was roaring; divided between Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik.

The game started out well for Tuktoyaktuk. Two quick goals gave them an early lead, but Northwind came back with a goal of their own. A third goal for Tuktoyaktuk followed shortly after, and things were looking dim for the Northwind team, but all hope was not lost yet.

At the end of the second period, the score was 3-1 for Tuktoyaktuk.

Just as Brandon predicted, Northwind started the third period with a fire under them. Two quick goals from Northwind tied up the game. Tensions were high, and the fans loved it. Another goal was scored, followed by another goal to tie it up. The teams were neck and neck, and it looked like this one would go into overtime.

With 36 seconds left in the game, Tuktoyaktuk called a time-out; it was time for a pep talk. “We can do this boys, this is our game,” said Jackie Jacobson. The pep talk was short and sweet but it worked. With 11.8 seconds left in the final period, #51 Max Kotokak hit nothing but net and scored the game winning goal.

The celebration started instantly. The fans were on their feet, some cheering on Northwind to tie it up again, and others congratulating Tuktoyaktuk.

11.8 seconds later, the Northwind fans were disappointed, there was no time to catch up; the 2009 IRC champions were crowned.