Jeremy Tunraluk calls for co-operation in NTI ‘rebound’ campaign

Nunatsiaq News is publishing profiles of the 10 candidates in Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s May 27 presidential byelection.

If given a second chance to serve as Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president, Jeremy Tunraluk says he hopes to steer the organization in a co-operative and collaborative direction.

Tunraluk is describing this byelection campaign as a “rebound” opportunity, with hopes to continue where he left off.

“The year I was the president, it truly showed that working collaboratively with the governments, with many different sectors across Nunavut, that we secured many, many things,” Tunraluk said in an interview, pointing to a renewed partnership agreement between NTI, the GN and federal government that was reached during his tenure.

NTI also created a housing action plan and the Igluvut Corp., a not-for-profit housing organization, to focus on finding affordable rental options for Inuit.

Elected in December 2024, Tunraluk was placed on leave last year as he faced an assault charge.

After the charge was stayed in January, the NTI board determined Tunraluk “failed to meet the high standards of conduct expected of Inuit leaders.”

He resigned, which prompted the May 27 byelection — which he decided to run in, seeking the position he had stepped down from.

“With everything that has gone on the last year, I believe I can rebound and make sure that NTI is accountable to Inuit, and as well as myself, for me to be able to be accountable,” Tunraluk said.

He opened up about what led to the charge.

“I had to face the consequences of a very nasty separation between my wife,” he said. “We were together 21 years.”

He emphasized: “I respect women a lot and I will continue to cherish women.”

Tunraluk said he has moved past that “hurdle,” but also added that he “can’t erase” it.

Since leaving NTI, Tunraluk said he has focused on providing for his kids.

Originally from Arctic Bay but now living in Iqaluit, Tunraluk said he has been carving and had explored launching a business, but that he has otherwise been out of work since he resigned in January.

For this campaign, Tunraluk is running on the successes of his year in office, when he secured the $1.5-billion Nunavut Agreement implementation contract deal with the federal and territorial governments.

He also says he wants NTI to continue to use its seat on the Inuit-Crown Partnership committee to advocate for more infrastructure projects, especially at a time when Arctic security is one of the biggest topics.

“I’m absolutely proud of how I was able to be part of that leadership that was able to say, ‘Let’s work together with the governments. Let’s secure all [this] funding without having to go through litigation,’” Tunraluk said.

“That changed the course of NTI in a lot of different ways.”