Candidates vie for Makivik’s VP, secretary jobs

Voters cast a ballot last January at a Makivik Corp. polling station set up at Kuujjuaq’s Forum. (FILE PHOTO)

Nunavik Inuit will see plenty of choices when they cast ballots next month to fill two executive positions at Makivik Corp., the region’s birthright organization.

Five Nunavimmiut are running to serve as vice president of economic development, the same number of candidates also running for corporate secretary, Makivik announced Dec. 7.

One thing is certain: Makivik will get a new corporate secretary Jan. 21.

The organization’s current corporate secretary, Andy Moorhouse, resigned last week from the job he’s held since 2011 to run as vice president of economic development against incumbent VP Michael Gordon.

The two will face off against other vice president hopefuls Donald Edward Watt, Markusi Qissiq and George Peters.

Corporate secretary candidates include Jonathan Epoo, Lizzie Epoo York, Laina Grey, Adamie Padlayat and Charlie Tarkirk.

Close to 7,000 Nunavimmiut will be eligible to cast ballots for the two executive positions, each of which is for a three-year term Jan. 21. Polling stations will be set up in each community’s Northern Village office that day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Nunavik Inuit in Montreal can also vote at Makivik’s Ville St-Laurent office during those same hours.

An advance poll will be held a week prior, on Jan. 15, at all NV offices and Makivik’s Montreal office, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

As part of new election procedure introduced in 2011, Makivik’s five executive positions are staggered, held every third Thursday in January rather than alongside the corporation’s springtime annual general meeting.

Visit www.Nunatsiaqonline.ca in the New Year for Makivik candidate profiles.