Lucy Tulugarjuk says Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq is not speaking up for the people of Nunavut. (Heidi Selzler)
An artist has refused to perform for Nunavut’s Member of Parliament, Leona Aglukkaq.
Nunavut’s Lucy Tulugarjuk was asked to throat sing and drum dance during Aglukkaq’s upcoming visit to Fort Smith, N.W.T., where the artist is currently living.
But she said she’s not pleased with Aglukkaq. She said the MP has not addressed the concerns from Nunavummiut over seismic testing.
Some Inuit in Nunavut are furious over the National Energy Board’s decision to approve an application to do seismic testing for oil and gas in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait off the east coast of Baffin Island.
They’re worried wildlife will leave the area.
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq is under pressure from constituents over environmental issues. (CBC)
Tulugarjuk said Aglukkaq should be standing up for her people, rather than taking orders from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“I thought it was important to share with Inuit fellows, my friends and family that I am against it also and I will speak against it, if I must, and in that protest I refuse to throat sing and drum dance,” Tulugarjuk said.
Tulugarjuk said a chief in Fort Smith asked her to perform, not Aglukkaq’s staff.