Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI) and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) asked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to investigate the actions of Amira Gill, Nadya Gill and Karima Manji in applying for enrolment under the Nunavut Agreement.
The three women applied for enrolment under the Nunavut Agreement in 2016 (Gills) and 2018 (Manji).
In 2016, the Iqaluit Community Enrolment Committee reviewed and approved the applications of Amira and Nadya, relying on information provided in their application that they had an Inuk birth mother. The application had been made by Karima Manji who claimed to be their adoptive mother.
On March 30, 2023, an application was made by the Inuk woman’s legal guardian to remove Amira and Nadya from the enrolment list because the Gills have no biological relationship with her. The Gills were asked by NTI to provide evidence that they have an Inuk birth parent as claimed in their application. No response was received.
On April 6, 2023, the Iqaluit Community Enrolment Committee met and made the decision to remove Amira and Nadya Gill from the Inuit Enrolment List.
During its internal investigation, the QIA identified a 2018 application for enrolment from Karima Manji in which she stated falsely that she had been adopted by two named Inuit from Iqaluit. This application was denied by the Iqaluit Community Enrolment Committee based on their knowledge of the community and the lack of supporting documentation.
NTI’s enrolment process is a robust process governed by Article 35 of the Nunavut Agreement and the Enrolment Manual adopted by the Community Enrolment Committees. The Community Enrolment Committee for each Nunavut community reviews applications and makes each decision carefully. This case is the first of its kind under the NTI enrolment program. To prevent any potential fraud in the future, NTI is working with the Community Enrolment Committees to take additional measures to further strengthen the enrolment application and review process.
Contact:
Kevin Kablutsiak
Director, Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Karen Flaherty
Director, Strategic Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
