National Inuit Youth Council selects new president, VP

Thomas Anguti Johnston of Iqaluit, 25, the new president of the National Inuit Youth Council, stands with Sarah Jancke, 24, of Cambridge Bay, the new NIYC vice-president, by the large inuksuk in Kuujjuaq after the wrap-up of this week’s NIYC meeting in the Nunavik community. (PHOTO BY ISABELLE DUBOIS)

Thomas Anguti Johnston of Iqaluit is the new president of the National Inuit Youth Council following a vote by NIYC members during this week’s meeting in Kuujjuaq.

Sarah Jancke of Cambridge Bay is the new NIYC vice-resident.

Johnston, 25, is the regional youth coordinator for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and, since 2007, has served as the NIYC representative for the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut.

Johnston was named acting NIYC president in November after Jennifer Watkins of Kuujjuaq finished her term.

Johnston is also know as Inuk Qablunaaq, the character he plays on the popular Inuit Broadcasting Corp. program Qanurli.

“I am honored and hope to serve my fellow Inuit youth well in this position and represent their interests honestly,” said Johnston in an ITK news release. “My vision is to bring the youth voice forward in all areas affecting youth, to be heard and also considered seriously.”

Jancke, 24, is the programs coordinator for women and youth for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. A member of the NIYC for three years, she is also a long-time collaborator on Nipiit youth magazine, produced under the direction of NIYC.

“I would like to congratulate these talented young Inuit, whose accomplishments encourage us all to do our best work,” said ITK’s acting president Duane Smith. “They are tremendous role models and they teach us what it means to be an Inuk in the 21st century.”

The voting members of NIYC are the six regional youth coordinators employed by land claims organizations in Inuit Nunangat and in each of the three regions of Nunavut.

The youth project coordinators at ITK serve as the NIYC secretariat.

The president of NIYC is elected by NIYC members for a two-year term preceding the organization’s biannual National Inuit Youth Summit.

The next youth summit takes place August 16 to August 21 in Kuujjuaq.

The NIYC president also serves as a non-voting member of the ITK and Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada boards of directors.

In August 2010, NIYC members and youth delegates gathered in Inuvik to identify five national priorities: language and culture, health and education, networking and inter-regional communication, funding support and housing.