Nunavik Inuit head to the polls today

Makivik Corp.’s current vice-president of resource development, Johnny Peters, left, with his executive assistant Adamie Delisle Alaku, who is also a vice-presidential candidate. (PHOTO COURTESY OF MAKIVIK CORP.)

Inuit of Nunavik will see at least a partial shake-up at their birthright organization by the end of Jan. 16, as Makivik Corp. holds elections for its treasurer and vice-president of resource development positions.

Voters will elect at least one new executive member. The long-time Makivik treasurer, Anthony Ittoshat, who has served in that role since 1999, has decided not to run for a fifth term.

Four Nunavimmiut have stepped up to compete for the job, including Michael Cameron, Jobie Epoo, Joseph Annahatak and Andy Pirti.

You can read profiles on those candidates here.

And in what has shaped up to be an interesting race, vice-president of resource development Johnny Peters – first elected in 1996 – will face off against his own executive assistant, Adamie Delisle Alaku.

Delisle Alaku, who has worked for Makivik for the last three years, has represented the corporation on a number of wildlife management and environmental protection files, on both a national and international stage.

Makivik Corp. used to hold elections for its executive positions at its annual general meetings. Since 2010, the the organization introduced a staggered election system where two executive positions or the president are elected to three-year terms each January.

Polls are open Jan.16 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Nunavik communities’ municipal or landholding offices.

Nunavimmiut in Montreal can vote at Makivik’s St. Laurent office during those same hours, as can Inuit in Chisasibi at that community’s landholding office.

Voters must be beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, and at least 18 years old. Voters must bring their beneficiary cards or other identification with them to the polling station.