Inuit youth want answers from ITK president hopefuls

Inuit youth are weighing in on the upcoming Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami election by submitting five questions for the two candidates seeking the president’s job, Terry Audla of Iqaluit and Robert (Robbie) Watt of Ottawa.

The National Inuit Youth Council, a group whose president is a member of the ITK board of directors, but has no voting rights, formed the questions May 17.

“The NIYC has its own goals and objectives, however many of its priorities (e.g. housing, education, mental wellness, etc.) are consistent with, and feed into, ITK’s overall mandate,” a news release from NIYC on ITK’s website said May 17.

The questions are:

• What fired you up enough to make you run for the presidency of ITK? Was there a defining moment? Please be specific.

• What fictional character most exemplifies your leadership style? Why?

• Do you think that the average Inuk understands the work of ITK and NIYC? If not, what will you do to change this?

• We often hear that there is little role for ITK now that our land claims are settled. What do you see as ITK’s role today?

• Mary Simon has talked about the importance of bringing in new people, with new energy. What new vision would you bring to the work of ITK?

The election comes after former ITK president Mary Simon did not elect to reign for a third term.

You can find Audla’s responses here and Watt’s responses here.

The election is slated for June 6 in Kuujjuaq following an ITK annual general meeting.