Qikiqtani beneficiaries will head to the polls Dec. 9

George Eckalook, the former vice-president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and Larry Audlaluk, who was appointed interim QIA vice president following Eckalook’s departure, pose together at a QIA board meeting. Audlaluk now plans to run for the permanent version of the vice president position. (FILE PHOTO)

Inuit beneficiaries in the Qikiqtani region will head to polls Dec. 9 to choose a new vice president, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association said in a news release Nov. 6, the day nominations opened.

Also on Dec. 9, beneficiaries in Pangnirtung will elect a community director.

The vice president vacancy was created by the departure of former vice president George Eckalook this past June, when he resigned for personal reasons.

Larry Audlaluk, the community director for Grise Fiord, was appointed to fill in for Eckalook as interim vice president.

Now, Audlaluk has resigned as Grise Fiord community director to run for the permanent version of the vice president’s position.

QIA said their board will meet as soon as possible to appoint a new community director for Grise Fiord, after they have solicited names from the community.

Nominations for vice-president and Pangnirtung community director will remain open until 5 p.m., Nov. 20, QIA said.

Voting beneficiaries in the QIA region can pick up nomination papers at the QIA head office in Iqaluit, at local community liason offices throughout the region and on QIA’s website.

Nominations delivered by fax will be accepted as long as they are received by 5 p.m. eastern Nov. 20 at the QIA head office.

You can find more information on the QIA website.