Manitoba Inuit Association names new CEO after former leader fired amid abuse allegations

The Manitoba Inuit Association has appointed a new chief executive officer months after the former head of the non-profit was terminated following allegations of sexual and physical abuse. 

MIA welcomed Gayle Gruben to her new post as CEO in a social media post Wednesday afternoon. 

Gruben replaces an interim CEO appointed last fall after a petition with hundreds of signatures demanded the association look into allegations of sexual and physical abuse levelled at Nastania Mullin, who had led the association since 2022. Mullin was terminated in November.

Gruben, a mother of three originally from Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., has been working since 2019 with the association, which provides culturally appropriate services for Inuit living in Manitoba

She has filled multiple roles, including as the director of missing Inuit children of residential schools, and leading the missing and murdered Inuit women and girls initiative.

According to the MIA’s post, Gruben brings “extensive” professional and lived experience to the role, as well as a “deep understanding” of the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples.

“We are honoured to welcome Gayle’s leadership, compassion and commitment to community as we move forward together,” the social media post says. 

Gruben’s appointment ‘great news’

The petition, which has so far amassed more than 1,600 signatures online, is part of a larger movement online that some referred to as an #InuitMeToo grassroots campaign, with Inuit women and gender-diverse people across Canada sharing allegations of abuse by Mullin and other male Inuit leaders.

Among them was Ruth Gustaw, 36, who alleged in an interview with CBC News that Mullin sexually assaulted her in his mother’s Iqaluit home more than 20 years ago.

Gustaw, who now lives in Ottawa, and another woman have made formal complaints against Mullin with the RCMP and Ottawa Police Service, respectively.

Two board members also resigned from the organization in the fall, including Joanie French, then MIA’s secretary-treasurer, who submitted her resignation during a special board meeting in October. 

At the time, she told CBC News, “I no longer believed I could fulfil my duties responsibly within those constraints, nor continue to serve in a structure that was failing to protect Inuit women, staff and community members.”

On Wednesday French said Gruben’s appointment was “great news.” 

“Everything I’ve seen and heard about Gayle shows that she’s a good person,” she told CBC in a text message. 

“I’d like to say how proud I am of the Manitoba Inuit association for taking the steps necessary to ensure a safe and honorable association for the Inuit people. I wish them the very best in all their future endeavours.”

In a separate social media post MIA says it is looking for “passionate individuals” to join the board of directors and youth board of directors.

CBC News has reached out to the MIA and Gruben for comment.