2 candidates vie for open seat in Arviat South

Nunatsiaq News is publishing riding profiles ahead of the Oct. 27 territorial election. Keep your eye on our website to learn more about who is running in your area.

Two Arviammiut are vowing to be their community’s voice in the Nunavut legislature if they’re elected to represent Arviat South.

Alana Kuksuk and Jamie Kablutsiak are running locally focused campaigns ahead of the Oct. 27 territorial election.

The pair are competing to fill a vacant seat in the legislature after Joe Savikataaq Sr., who was Nunavut’s premier from 2018 to 2021, announced last month he was stepping away from politics after 12 years as an MLA.

In an interview, Kuksuk spoke of a number of improvements she wants to see in Arviat, including an upgraded airport runway, boat launch dock and a student residence for her growing community.

With her experience as a social worker and interpreter, Kuksuk said she wants to fix gaps in the health system such as language barriers and issues around medical travel.

“Arviat’s growing rapidly and the stuff that [is] available to us should also be expanding, growing,” she said.

“I would definitely do my best to build our community.”

Kuksuk has held numerous public service positions in her home community, as well as in Whale Cove.

That includes being a detachment guard with the RCMP, a volleyball coach, and filling various municipal roles at both hamlets. She has also been a member of Arviat’s justice committee, district education authority and co-op board.

Pointing to Sen. Nancy Karetak-Lindell and former commissioner Nellie Kusugak as inspiring political figures, Kuksuk said she wants to set an example for her daughters.

“I believe women can also be very strong, using their voices positively for Nunavummiut, Arviammiut, and I still want to continue working for the community,” she said.

Kablutsiak said by email he’s running on numerous issues including infrastructure, education and health service improvements, and better collaboration between the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., and the regional Inuit organizations.

A retired educator, he said he wants to help young people get access to skills and training and promises to be a listener on constituency issues.

“I will work and represent my people because they are the ones that put politicians on their seats,” he said.

Kablutsiak has served on several local and territorial boards and committees. Those have included being an Arviat hamlet councillor, chairperson of Arviat’s justice committee, vice-chair of the Arviat Hunters and Trappers Association, and Kivalliq representative with the Nunavut Teachers Association.

“I have put a lot of thought on running for MLA and talked about this with my wife and kids, and I’d like to thank them for supporting me on making this decision,” he said.

“I made this decision because I want to serve my people and to represent the people of Arviat.”

Both candidates have been regularly posting on their campaign Facebook pages and plan to host community gatherings to engage with voters.