A Canadian family has been charged with fraud for allegedly pretending to be indigenous to receive benefits.
The Iqaluit Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on September 14 charged three Ontario women for “fraudulent” registration into the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporation (NTI) beneficiary list.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., which represents Inuits in the territory, reviews and approves applicants to be added to the list of beneficiaries.
Karima Manji, 59, and her 25-year-old adopted twin daughters Amira Gill and Nadya Gill were charged with two counts each of fraud over $5,000 following an investigation earlier this year.
The investigation found that between October 2016 and September 2022, the three applied for and obtained Inuit beneficiary status as Inuit adoptees through NTI.
Iqaluit Royal Canadian Mounted Police charged three women based in Ontario for “fraudulent” registration into the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporation’s beneficiary list. nadyagill98 / Instagram
After getting Inuit beneficiary status, the authorities said, they defrauded two local organizations of funds that were exclusive to Inuit beneficiaries by getting grants and scholarships.
Amira won a $4,000 scholarship from an Ontario utility company.
The following year, Amira won an award for Indigenous students from one of Canada’s largest banks.
Karima Manji, 50, is accused of defrauding the March of Dimes of $800,000. Toronto Police Service
Manji, Amira, and Nadya Gill are due in court in Iqaluit on October 30, 2023, according to a press release from Canadian authorities.
On March 30, NTI began an investigation against the three women for “potential fraud.” NTI in a statement said this case is the first of its kind.
Manji allegedly claimed that Amira and Nadya were his adopted children and identified an Inuk woman as their biological mother.
Amira and Nadya Gill sell clothing products, including COVID-19 face masks, decorated with Aboriginal-themed artwork through an online business called Kanata Trade Co. nadyagill98 / Instagram
NTI President Aluki Kotierk told the Candian Broadcasting Company that at least the three women should repay the money they received.
“You have wanted to take our language from us,” he said. “You want to take our culture from us. Now you’re trying to claim our identity? It’s just confusing.”
An indigenous girl runs on a hill overlooking the village of Iqaluit, in Nunavut.AFP via Getty Images
After NTI’s investigation, the three women were removed from the recipient list and reported to law enforcement.
NTI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Manji, Amira and Nadya could not immediately be reached for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
