Nunavik gets eight new KSB commissioners

The Kativik School Board’s Council of Commissioners has eight new members, following a Nov. 19 election in Nunavik.

Nunavimmiut elected a total of 10 commissioners in the regional election, while four others were acclaimed.

Overall, six incumbent commissioners will return to the 14-member council; all will serve a three-year term.

In Kuujjuaq, which hosted the largest commissioners’ race with eight candidates, Willis Tagoona won the commissioner’s seat there with 53 ballots, or 25 per cent of the vote.

Tagoona, a former teacher who now works for the Kativik Regional Government’s recreation department, campaigned to bring a stronger cultural component to Nunavik’s education system as well as helping secondary students access post-secondary programs.

“I am very grateful for those of you who voted for me,” Tagoona wrote in a message posted to a Kuujjuaq Facebook group. “This is just the beginning. Let’s work together to build a great future for our children.”

Here’s a run-down of the commissioners elected in other Nunavik communities:

• Kangiqsualujjuaq: Jean Leduc;

• Aupaluk: Martin Scott (incumbent);

• Kangiqsujuaq: Jessica Arngak (incumbent);

• Salluit: Kakkiniq Naluiyuk;

• Akulivik: Marcusie Qinuajuaq;

• Puvirnituq: Sarah Beaulne (incumbent);

• Inukjuak: Alicie Nalukturuk;

• Umiujaq: Alicia Aragutak; and,

• Kuujjuaraapik: Peter Paplaryuk (incumbent)

In Tasiujaq, incumbent Pasha Bertha was acclaimed, along with Ivujivik’s incumbent commissioner Thomassie Mangiok.

Newcomer Joseph Annahatak was acclaimed in Kangirsuk, as well as Pallaya Ezekiel in Quaqtaq.

The newly-elected council of commissioners will meet for the first time Dec. 9 to Dec. 12 in Montreal, where members will elect a new president.

Until then, outgoing council president Johnny Kasudluak will assume the leadership role.

The KSB also announced the names of the new presidents of Nunavik’s education committees, formed from locally-elected parents who serve as an advisory body to the council of commissioners.

The following Nunavimmiut, elected Oct. 1, will serve a two-year term as president:

• Kangiqsualujjuaq: McCombie Annanack;

• Kuujjuaq: Cecilia Anderson;

• Tasiujaq: Tommy Annanack;

• Kangirsuk: Elisabeth Annahatak;

• Quaqtaq: Annie Kulula Arnatuk;

• Kangiqsujuaq: Alasie Arngak;

• Salluit: Patricia Cameron;

• Ivujivik: Johnny Maniguk;

• Puvirnituq: Betsy Putugu;

• Akulivik: Alaku Qullialuk;

• Umiujaq: Makussie Tookalook; and,

• Kuujjuaraapik: Caroline Weetaltuk.

The communities of Inukjuak and Aupaluk have not yet appointed their new education committee presidents.