Inuit Broadcasting Corporation Announces New Chair, Executive, and Plans for 2006-2007

Ottawa ON - May 4, 2006 - The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation Board of Governors met last week in Ottawa and elected Ms. Okalik Eegeesiak (Iqaluit, Member-at-Large) as Chair of the Board. Mr. Joseph Kaviok (Arviat, appointed by Kivalliq Inuit Assoc.) was elected Vice-Chair and Mr. Ammie Kipsigak (Igloolik, appointed by Qikiqtani Inuit Assoc.) was elected Secretary Treasurer. Other Board Members are: Madeleine Adams (Iqaluit, Member-at-Large), and Joseph Niptanatiak (Kugluktuk, appointed by Kitikmeot Inuit Assoc.).

The Board thanked Mr. Kaviok for having stepped in as acting Chair following the sudden passing of Pat Lyall late last fall. The Board also paid tribute to Mr. Lyall for his many years of dedicated service. He had been Chair of IBC from May 1990 to October 2005. Pat Lyall was instrumental in ensuring the stability of IBC during some difficult funding and policy transitions. Serving as the first Chairperson, he had been a key player in establishing Television Northern Canada (TVNC) in order to provide a vehicle to distribute northern and specifically Inuktitut programming. The IBC Board also acknowledged Mr. Lyall's family who supported him wholeheartedly while he devoted much time and energy into his work for IBC.

While in Ottawa, the board took the opportunity to meet with several government departments and agencies as well as with Jose Kusugak, President of ITK to discuss the challenges and opportunities that are facing IBC.

Programming plans for the upcoming television season were reviewed. IBC is planning to produce another series of the new and popular cooking show, Kaakpiit, featuring host/cook, Rebecca Veevee and some interesting guest cooks! IBC will also continue to produce Kippingujautiit, Qaujisaut, Qanuq Isumavit, and Takuginai. IBC is planning a series of events in June to celebrate one of its most momentous accomplishments. This year marks 20 years of Takuginai, the very first aboriginal language kids show to be produced in the world. This coming year will also see IBC, in partnership with the National Film Board (NFB), introduce computer animation training in several Nunavut communities.

"This is a very exciting time to take on the role of chair of IBC,” said Ms. Eegeesiak. “IBC has a core of long serving, dedicated staff who have made sure, day after day, week after week, year after year, that we have Inuktitut programming on our television sets for our children, our youth, our adults and our elders. I look forward to working with the other Board members and the IBC staff to continue to provide this vital service. I am committed to working with APTN, other broadcasters, and television industry agencies to ensure the development and growth of Inuit programming. We will be continuing to train people in television production, including new techniques such as animation in order to educate and entertain our viewers. We will continue to provide a voice for Inuit on issues of importance, such as the sealing issue, through our interactive phone in show. Most importantly, IBC will carry on in doing our part to protect and promote our language. Inuit are inundated with a multitude of media services in languages other than Inuktitut. I think, IBC, along with other parts of Nunavut society, such as the education system, has an instrumental role to play in ensuring that Inuktitut is spoken in our homes and our communities."

For more information, contact:
Okalik Eegeesiak:
(613) 321-1650

Debbie Brisebois:
(613) 235-1892, ext. 232

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