NTI president declines comment after being charged with assault
Jeremy Tunraluk placed on leave from organization, says NTI spokesperson
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Jeremy Tunraluk, seen speaking at a conference earlier this year, is on leave from his role with the Inuit organization as he faces a criminal charge. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Updated on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. ET
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has placed president Jeremy Tunraluk on leave after he was charged with assault this week.
Tunraluk’s name is on the Nunavut court docket for a single charge of assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm. He is charged under section 267(c) of the Criminal Code which makes it an offence to choke, suffocate or strangle someone.
Reached by phone Thursday afternoon, Tunraluk declined to comment on what happened, stating he’s not taking questions about the charge.
Tunraluk, 39, was charged by Iqaluit RCMP on Wednesday, said spokesperson Sgt. George Henrie in an email.
Police would not provide more information because the matter is before the courts, he said.
Henrie, when pressed for more details, such as the date of the alleged incident and if there are any alleged victims, again declined.
The official report police filed with the Nunavut Court of Justice has not yet been made available because Tunraluk has not appeared in court.
Tunraluk is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 15 for a first appearance before a justice of the peace in Iqaluit.
“We have been made aware that Jeremy Tunraluk was charged by the RCMP earlier this week, in a matter unrelated to his role with Nunavut Tunngavik,” said Ivaluarjuk Merritt, NTI’s communications director, in an email.
“The NTI board of directors are taking this matter very seriously, and Mr. Tunraluk has been placed on unpaid leave.”
Paul Irngaut, NTI’s vice-president, will serve as acting president while the organization’s board figures out the next steps, Merritt said.
Tunraluk, who is originally from Arctic Bay and lives in Iqaluit, has been at the helm of NTI, the organization responsible for making sure promises made under the Nunavut Agreement are carried out, since winning last year’s presidential election.
Over the past year, he has been involved in meetings with leaders such as Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Tunraluk was present in the Nunavut legislature in November as MLAs and cabinet ministers were sworn in. Last week, he and other Inuit leaders took part in the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee meeting in Ottawa.
Previously, he held leadership roles at Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
Tunraluk is also a well-known musician who has performed at community events such as the Alianait Arts Festival in Iqaluit alongside his family.
The charge against him has not been tested in court.
Sad story. Whether true or not, people need to work out their demons before entering public life.
Any office holder anywhere has to RESIGN when facing a serious charge, why are you special Mr. tunraluk? Inuit expect nothing, absolutely nothing less! RESIGN mr. tunraluk!
“Hey look guys, another NTI lawsuit!”
Why is the RCMP always hiding things from Nunatsiaq News? Almost all the articles about crime has the paper waiting for comment. Are their comms people in Ottawa?
Nunavut has a right to know everything about everyone when the RCMP are involved! Keeps the mafia at bay!
More transparency!
Nessuna nuova, buona nuova!
You want to know what happened, go and see for yourself on January 15 at the court house. It’s open to the public.
News north have better reports and no band posts ,
NN is strict on total BS to post
Honour the NTI resolution of October 23, 2025 Mr. Tunraluk as you presided over it. Zero tolerance means, you resign ASAP to the letter and spirit of the resolution. Inuit expect you to be a man of your word, RESIGN!
Step down.
Doesn’t matter if not related to his position as President of NTI. All leaders must set an example. This type of behaviour should not be condoned. Honorable thing to do is resign.
Being on leave does not cut it. You are to serve all Inuit, including victims of violence. You are telling us victims are secondary and criminals deserve more protection. Resign Mr. Tunraluk
Completely normalized feature of Nunavut politics
I think it would be best if he stepped down from being president. When you are sitting at the table with the big boys, there is no room for this sort of reaction.
Shame on NTI for saying it has nothing to do with his job. Optics in public life mean everything.