58 candidates running for seats in Nunavut legislature
Race is on in 20 of 22 ridings with South Baffin, Hudson Bay acclaimed by incumbents
Nunavummiut in all 22 of the territory’s ridings are putting their names forward as candidates in the Oct. 27 territorial election. (File photo by Dustin Patar)
Updated on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025 at 6 p.m. ET.
The race is on in 20 of 22 ridings after registration closed for the Nunavut election Friday.
In South Baffin riding, David Joanasie was acclaimed to a fourth term in the legislature, being the only candidate in his constituency to put his name forward for election.
Daniel Qavvik also won a second term in Hudson Bay on acclamation.
As of Monday morning, the list published on Elections Nunavut’s website includes 58 candidates running for a seat in the legislative assembly. They are:
- Aggu: Joanna Quassa, Erasmus Ivvalu
- Aivilik: Solomon Malliki, Hannah Angootealuk
- Amittuq: Paul Haulli, Abraham Qammaniq, Reena Irqittuq, Roger Beaudry
- Arviat North-Whale Cove: John Main, Tony Uluadluak
- Arviat South: Jamie Kablutsiak, Alana Kuksuk
- Baker Lake: Craig Simailak, Simeon Mikkungwak
- Cambridge Bay: Pamela Hakongak Gross, Peter Ohokak, Fred Pedersen
- Gjoa Haven: David Porter, David Akoak, Sonny Porter, Megan Porter, Agoakteak Gregory Nahaglulik
- Hudson Bay: Daniel Qavvik
- Iqaluit-Manirajak: Adam Arreak Lightstone, Gwen Healey Akearok
- Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu: David Akeeagok, Jacopoosee Peter, Walter Picco, Tatanniq Lucie Idlout
- Iqaluit-Sinaa: Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster, Robin Anawak
- Iqaluit-Tasiluk: George Hickes, Malaiya Lucassie
- Kugluktuk: Simon Kuliktana, Stanley Anablak, Bobby Anavilok
- Netsilik: Joseph Quqqiaq, Cecile Nelvana Lyall, Mary Anaumiq Neeveacheak, Emiliano Qirngnuq, Johnny Qilluniq
- Pangnirtung: Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk, Johnny Mike, Andrew Nakashuk
- Quttiktuq: Steven Taqtu, Philip Kalluk, Andrew Taqtu
- Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet: Cathy Q Towtongie, Alexander Sammurtok
- Rankin Inlet South: Tagak Curley, Gerry Anawak, Annie Tattuinee
- South Baffin: David Joanasie
- Tununiq: David Qamaniq, Verna Strickland, Brian Koonoo
- Uqqummiut: Gordon Kautuk, Mary Killiktee
Follow Nunatsiaq News for an updated list and riding-by-riding coverage of the territorial election leading up to the Oct. 27 vote.
Update: This story has been updated to add candidates whose names appeared on the Elections Nunavut website after 6 p.m. on Friday, and to confirm the acclamation of two candidates.
Premier Curley, anyone?
Just have a look at how many OLD men are running! Curley time to give it a rest, you to old and out of touch! Poor Kug….a Burn out, A Mute and then a Crook. Didn’t Kugluktuk just make this new page about what they are dealing with? Where are all the young educated people from Kugluktuk, RUN!! Your home is hurting, look after you’re people and be a voice for them, don’t let those old men run for you! Sad to see.
Premier Gwen H. Akearok
I can see it now, four years of lecturing about cryptic “systems” and how, if only, we could apply “other ways of knowing” we could redefine our issues in a way that would, by the sheer magic of language, make them disappear.
It would an eye opener for everyone I’m sure, especially her.
And the other guy chastised residents at the last election when they raised the safety issues in Lower Base, then he got turfed from cabinet for flagrant nepotism and now he thinks there are three sexes. Not a serious person. We can do a lot better.
It really couldn’t hurt to give the woman who got a health research centre built in the riding a shot at the job.
Reasonable point. Why not?
I expect she will elicit some interesting responses from the readers of NN.
14 out of 53 candidates are women; effectively 26% and not all women running will get elected. Nunavut is no where near gender equity in elected representation.
I’m all for gender equality… Cathy T for Premier!
Why aren’t the women of Nunavut stepping up? Do they have a lesser sense of civic duty?
Because Nunavut is a sexist and backwards ass place that treats women in positions of leadership like crap.
I think that is probably true. At the same time most people in positions of leadership are treated very poorly. Yet men continue to put themselves out there, despite that. Maybe Nunavut women less resilient? If so, why is that?
Isn’t it obvious to you? Inuit women don’t ‘step up’ because we are ‘needed’ to make sure our children and men do things right. Nunavut wouldn’t be where it is today if our women weren’t doing what they do right now and keeping our Nunavut society rolling. Unfortunately the GN doesn’t do much and isn’t that strong in this world, not until they take all their power from the Federal government. For now, the Federal government, so NTI and ITK, does most of the important work for Nunavut and Inuit woman will get involved with running GN when they need to BUT they are involved with NTI and ITK because that is where they need to be involved for Nunavut Inuit – at those places and at home with their kids and men. Us Inuit women are smart and strong and always have been. That’s why we were given the power in our Iglus before colonization and it is why we should be given the respect by everyone in our homes today.
The last two MPs were woman, we had two NTI presidents, an woman Premier and QIA President woman!
I’m all for equality but I’d pick quality, skill, experience and accomplishments and job history. I’m not voting for someone based on gender but more on the list I provided, so that could be either of the genders. Vote for the best one that will represent us well, work hard to make improvements that are many in the GN. Produce and accomplish improvements, lead the government to where we want to go.
An interesting riding to watch for me is Iqaluit Niaqunnguu. Jacopoosie Peter has tried for many years to get into the Legislative Assembly and this could be by far his best chance yet of breaking the tape! He’s a long time respected resident of Apex and advocate for the people there. His main opponent, David Akeeagok is the perfect example of a tired out old professional politician who overstayed his welcome a few elections ago.
If Lucie Idlout is the same Lucie Idlout who was our celebrated musical and performing artist from back in the good days, perhaps her confidence and charm could make her a wild card. Walter Picco has a name and pedigree which may also make him an attractive alternative. An interesting race I will be watching with interest!!
The following individuals should be considered: Joanna Quassa, Solomon Malliki, Craig Simailak, Janet Brewster, George Hickes, and Mary Killiktee. As for David J and Daniel, unfortunately, Nunavut will not benefit from their return to cabinet.
Lightstone for Premier
He already served 4 years as premiers assistant, enough is enough. We can’t go on forever and think we can be fooled; I mean let’s face it, are they still friends? I hate to see the poor little guy used after all the so-called government went thru and gained nothing but POs. Who wants to see another 4 years of news paper advertisements too that is wasted when it should be his constituents?
Premier John Main
Malaya Lucassie?.Cathy tautungi?? What the actual. Tagaq??? Lucie Idlout??
*face palm*
Kugluktumeotak here. So.. our pool of competancy is and has always been very small and the young people should give it a shot ! Whats their to lose if you dont try ? Got to be at least 65 % under 25 yrs old in kugluktuk.
Jant Brewster has barely done much for her riding. She doesn’t even come around. She likes to be on TV though and cry in the ledge. This riding needs a leader and hardworking.