WARNING: This article may affect those who have suffered sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
The Manitoba Inuit Association (MIA) has named an interim executive director, it announced Friday afternoon.
It comes as a petition with more than 1,200 signatures circulates calling on the nonprofit to investigate allegations of sexual and physical abuse against its executive director, Nastania Mullin.
It’s part of a broader online movement some call the #InuitMeToo grassroots campaign, in which Inuit women and gender diverse people across Canada share stories of alleged abuse by Mullin and other Inuit male leaders.
“The petition was a cry for justice,” said Crystal Martin, a petition organizer and Inuk advocate who is not one of the alleged victims.
“Now there’s a shared understanding that this isn’t just a moment, it’s a movement. And people are saying, ‘We’re ready to do better.'”
Meanwhile, a member of the MIA board of directors resigned, claiming that his proposals to launch an independent investigation met “resistance.”
Mullin did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The MIA did not directly respond to questions about its status or the current and historical allegations against it, instead sending an unsigned email saying it was appointing an interim chief executive and was not prepared to comment on “matters outside our organization.”
CBC News has not been able to confirm Mullin’s status with the association or the identity of the interim executive director.
Board Member Resigns After Investigation Called ‘Unsupported’
When alleged survivors began sharing stories about Mullin on social media, Joanie French, then secretary-treasurer of the MIA, commented in one of the posts that she was embarking on a fact-finding mission and would present her findings to her fellow MIA board members.
Then, at a special meeting last weekend, he resigned.
When contacted by CBC News, French said she could not comment “while the legal and oversight processes are still underway.”
She provided a statement about her resignation, writing that she had encouraged the board to seek outside legal counsel, launch a third-party investigation and ensure staff could speak out without retaliation. However, he said, those efforts “were not supported.”
French also sent information about specific allegations to the appropriate authorities and oversight bodies, he said in the statement.
“I no longer believed I could carry out my duties responsibly within those limitations, nor continue to serve in a structure that did not protect women, staff and members of the Inuit community,” she wrote, adding that she was leaving under “considerable pressure and duress.”
The organization has previously been investigated for allegations of having a toxic workplace, although the results were inconclusive.
Over the past week, CBC News has repeatedly attempted to contact Mullin and four other board members via email, phone and social media for a response to the petition and allegations.
During a visit to the Winnipeg office, an unnamed official confirmed that he had received the emails and would respond “in due course.”
On October 22, MIA issued a statement on its Facebook account, saying it supports Inuit women and gender diverse Inuit, who face some of the highest rates of violence in Canada.
“We remain committed to promoting the safety, respect and inclusion of all Inuit” and supporting the implementation of the Inuit National Action Plan on Missing and Murdered 2SLGBTQQIA+ Inuit Women, Girls and People.
A broader conversation about #InuitMeToo
Tanya Tagaq, an Inuk singer and activist, has been amplifying much of the #InuitMeToo conversation on her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
“I can do my best to be a megaphone because I know how scary it is to come forward,” he said, adding that he considers his social media accounts a place to discuss difficult topics.
“People don’t really seem to understand the isolation, because there’s no path to another community,” said Tagaq, who is from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. The accusation of one person can have a domino effect, especially if the accused is powerful.
“[The accuser] They might not keep their jobs. They may be branded heretics and expelled from the community. They could be injured. “Your children could be hurt.”
She called on others to support the #InuitMeToo movement because “unless we stand up, no one will stand up. And unless you stand up with us, we will stay down. And I’m tired of it.”
Tara Qunngaataq Tootoo Fotheringham, president of the Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association, says she has received messages from nearly two dozen people sharing what she calls “sad” and “disgusting” stories of alleged abuse and harassment involving Inuit male leaders, including Mullin.
His group is helping to make connections with the RCMP and trying to provide support. She says at least two have already contacted police.
“As silent as these women have felt over the years, there is so much noise now, it’s deafening,” she said. “We want to make sure these women never feel like they have to be silenced again.”
Amautiit is working with Martin to start a fundraising campaign to provide legal support to survivors of sexual assault and harassment.
Groups such as Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, an advocacy body for Inuit in Canada, and the Qulliit Nunavut Council on the Status of Women have also issued strong statements of support for women who disclose alleged abuse. None of the statements make direct reference to specific allegations or to Mullin.
Nunavut senator supports movement
Nunavut Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell also supports the movement and says she stands “firmly with those calling for safety, accountability and action.”
She told CBC News it’s time to speak out on behalf of people who “don’t have a voice,” in part because they feel intimidated in close-knit communities.
“There will be people who won’t want you to make waves, you know: ‘Our community was doing great until you opened your mouth,’” he said. “And that’s why most people don’t report it… because they have to bear that burden themselves.”
Karetak-Lindell said the size of the petition is significant because the Inuit community is so small. The board will have to take action because the appointment of the CEO is its responsibility, he said.
“You can’t continue hiding things under the rug and you are obliged to investigate.”
Not only that, he said, any investigation must be independent.
The latest allegations against Mullin come after the Manitoba government previously investigated him and the MIA regarding allegations by some employees of inappropriate workplace behavior and financial misconduct.
The province ruled against the MIA, but the association appealed and the Manitoba Labor Board investigated the matter. The appeals were withdrawn and hearing dates were canceled, according to a board official.
A third-party investigation also cleared the MIA of any wrongdoing.
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you, call 911. For help in your area, you can search for crisis lines and local services through Partnership to End Sexual Violence Canada Database.
