10 candidates put their names forward
for NTI presidential byelection
Former president’s January resignation triggers May 27 vote
Ten candidates put their names forward to run for NTI’s top job in a May 27 byelection called to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of its former president. NTI published its list of unofficial candidates Tuesday night. (File photo)
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. published the list of candidates for next month’s presidential byelection, with 10 people vying for the organization’s top job.
The unofficial list was published online Tuesday night. Candidates will have until Friday at 5 p.m. to withdraw from the election, which is set for May 27.
Candidates are:
- Samuel Alagalak
- Okalik Eegeesiak
- Paul Irngaut
- Jerry Komaksiutiksak
- Andrew Nakashuk
- Willie Nakoolak
- Jerry Natanine
- Cathy Towtongie
- Jeremy Tunraluk
- Gloria Uluqsi
NTI is the legal representative for Inuit beneficiaries in Nunavut. It is responsible for ensuring promises set out in the Nunavut Agreement are carried out by the federal and territorial governments.
The organization called the byelection in January to fill the vacancy created by Jeremy Tunraluk’s resignation in January. At that time, NTI said the presidential byelection would be held in December, coinciding with a scheduled election for vice-president.
But its membership and board of directors later made a decision in March to move the date up to May 27.
Tunraluk, who was elected in December 2024, had been president for about a year when Iqaluit RCMP charged him with a single count of assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm in December 2025.
That charge was stayed during Tunraluk’s first court appearance on Jan. 15, halting the prosecution of the criminal charge.
NTI put Tunraluk on unpaid leave after the charge was laid. But Tunraluk resigned on Jan. 21, after NTI’s board passed a resolution recommending to the NTI membership that they remove him as president.
Paul Irngaut, formerly the organization’s vice-president, is serving as president until the byelection.
Paul Ingaut just sits and doesn’t make any difference in Nunavut for Inuit – it’s time him and James Eetooluk get out of the way and let others lead.
This list shows there is a lot of people who are interested in leading NTI.
We need someone who knows the Land Claims Agreement and will fight for Inuit. Whoever gets elected will have to be vocal.
Our parents would like to see us working like at mines or hamlets, but it’s not. Nunavut is different but our needs our silenced, no enjoyment, our parents just loving us like we’re having difficult time. It’s no use good for garbage just being neglected, no use.