Nunavut hamlet voters choose new councils

Dec. 13 was a busy political night all across Nunavut, with hamlets in all three regions going to the polls for municipal elections.

Kivalliq

In Arviat, Bob Leonard defeated former MLA David Alagalak by a two-to-one margin to win another term in the mayor’s job. Former mayor Elizabeth Copland, as well as Pauk Irksuk, Joes Savikataaq and Gleason Uppahuak won council seats.

In Baker Lake, incumbent mayor David Aksawnee was acclaimed to another term, while Thomas Anirniq, Kenny Hachey, Thomas Iksiraq, Simeon Mikkungwak and Frank Tootoo won council seats.

Harry Aggark won the race for mayor in Chesterfield Inlet. Barney Aggark, Valerie Ipkarnerk, Peter Kattegatsiak and Roy Mullins won council seats.

In Coral Harbour, Marvin Dion, Noah Kadlak, Joe Netser and Jerry Paniyuk won seats on council.

Repulse Bay voters chose Hugh Haqpi for a two-year mayor’s term, and elected Michel Akkuardjuk, Richard Angotialuk, Peter Mannik and Mary Tuktudjuk to council seats.

In Rankin Inlet, Pujjuut Kusugak beat out sitting mayor John Hickes, as well as challenger Robert Janes. Jackson Lindell, Rosie Oolooyuk, Hamish Tatty and Bernadette Tutanuk won council seats.

Whale Cove elected seven new councillors: Makki Angoo, Agatha Ekwalak, Roy Kriterdluk, Susie Kitterdlik, Gerard Maktar, Leonard Teenar and Sarah Voisey.

Kitikmeot

In Cambridge Bay, four candidates were acclaimed to open council seats: Jessie Lyall, Tara Rutherford, Shane Sather and Kam So.

Gjoa Haven has a new mayor after Allen Aglukkaq beat out sitting mayor Joani Sallerina and Paul Ikuallaq. Donald Angoyoak, Teddy Carter, Susan Hillier, and Megan Porter won seats on council.

Five candidates, Larry Adjun, Dustin Fredlund, Sven Kerkovius, Grant Newman, and James Algona, were acclaimed to vacant council seats in Kugluktuk.

Kugaaruk also saw five candidates acclaimed: Barthelemy Nirlungayuk, Leona Apsaktaun, Canute Krejunark, Ovide Alaknnuark, and Tony Immingark all take seats on council.

In Taloyak, Tommy Aiyout beat four other contenders for the mayor’s job. Johnny Kootook, Shawna Kootook, Sarah Takolik, and Michael Aleekee won seats on council.

Qikiqtani

Arctic Bay voters picked four councillors: Esau Tatatuapik, Noah Qaqqasiq, Olayuk Naqitarvik, and Geela Arnauyumayuq beat out three other candidates.

Art Stewart, Joe Taukie, Teevee Qiatsuq, and Kovianaqtuliaq Takpaungai all won seats on Cape Dorset council.

In Clyde River Letia Aipellee, Jayko Apak, Jayko Ashevak, and Jerry Natanine won seats on council.

Only two candidates ran for four council seats in Grise Fiord. Noah Kamiga and Laisa A. Watsko were acclaimed. There’s no word on whether the other two seats will be filled before next year’s elections.

But in Hall Beach 13 candidates made for a tightly contested council race. David Kanatsiak, Jopie Kaernerk, and Peter Siakuluk all won seats on council, while Peter Kadlutsiak and Solomon Qanatsiaq finished tied for fourth place. Kadlustsiak claimed the final council seat when his name was drawn from a hat.

Nicolas P. Arnatsiaq, Steve Sarpinak, Zacharias Kunuk and Joseph Atagutaaluk won seats on Igloolik council.

Five candidates were acclaimed in Kimmirut’s hamlet election. Joe Arlooktoo, Qinnuajuaq Pudlat, Josie Lyta, Mary Sagiaktuk, and Maliktoo Lyta all join council.

Pangnirtung had seven candidates vie for four council seats. Timeosie Alivaktuk, Joanasie Karpik, Sheila Kilabuk, and Stevie Komoartok won seats.

Jaykolasie Killiktee won the mayoral election in Pond Inlet, defeating Peter Aglak, Abraham Kublu, and Cornelius Nutarak. Joshua Arreak, Enookie Innuarak, Mary Jaworenko, Nubviya Palluq and Elijah Panipakoochoo won seats on council.

In Qikiqtarjuaq, Loasie Audlakiak was acclaimed to another term as mayor. Jeannie Kooneeliusie, Lootie Kakudluk, Jacopie Newkingak, Hannah Audlakiak and Meleah Nookiguak were acclaimed to seats on council.

Resolute Bay voters picked Mavis Manik, Kantisse Idlout, Tabitha Mullin and Louisa Gillespie to sit on council.

And in Sanikiluaq, Rynie Audla, Mina Inuktaluk, Harry Sala and Johnny Tookalook won council seats.