Nunavut Tunngavik to host vice president election this winter

Nancy Karetak-Lindell, pictured here in Arviat ahead of Nunavut’s 2013 territorial election, will serve as chief returning officer to NTI’s vice-president elections this winter. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will hold an election to fill two vacant or expiring vice-president positions at the end of the year, the organization announced this past week.

But pending approval at NTI’s general meeting this fall, eligible Nunavut Inuit beneficiaries will elect just one new full-time vice-president.

That’s because NTI’s board of directors has approved a change that would see the organization’s two vice-president positions rolled into one.

James Eetoolook currently serves as a vice president. NTI’s other vice-president, Jack Anawak, resigned his position last fall to run in the 2013 territorial election.

The new vice-president at NTI will be a full-time job, the organization said, and serve on the organization’s board of directors and executive committee.

The vice-president must also chair two NTI board committees, including the Inuit Social and Cultural Development Advisory committee and the Inuit Wildlife and Environment Advisory Committee.

A former Liberal MP for Nunavut, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, will serve as chief returning officer for the Dec. 8 election.

Karetak-Lindell will issue an official notice of election at the end of the nomination period, which runs Oct. 27 – Oct. 31. Nomination forms will be available through NTI’s website.

Eligible candidates and voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 16 years of age and enrolled under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Changes approved at NTI’s annual general meeting in October 2013 now require candidates to submit an original criminal records check when they submit their nomination papers.

The records check must be completed after July 27, to ensure it is recent.