Blizzard delays results from two Inuit org elections

Updated Dec. 12 at 8:00 a.m.

Blizzards yesterday in two Nunavut communities meant that Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. decided to delay the announcement of even preliminary election results for the position of vice-president.

And the Kitikmeot Inuit Association also closed its polling station in Gjoa Haven due to poor weather, though it re-opened later.

NTI’s returning officer, Nancy Karetak Lindell, said late on Monday, Dec. 10, that polls in Gjoa Haven and Arctic Bay closed earlier than scheduled due to the weather.

“Even though voting continued in all the other Nunavut communities as planned, NTI ballots will not be counted tonight,” said Karetak-Lindell.

James Eetoolook and Peter Ohokanoak are competing for the the position of VP in the birthright organization for Nunavut Inuit.

Stanley Anablak re-elected to KitIA presidency

On Dec. 11, the polling station reopened in Gjoa Haven from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time at the Nattilik Heritage Centre.

That means the presidential election for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association was completed.

The incumbent president Stanley Anablak, won easily with 503 votes.

Bob Aknavigak finished second with 161 votes, followed by George Sonny Porter (148) and Vivienne Aknavigak (147.)

But the polling station in Arctic Bay remained closed as of Dec. 11, due to bad weather expected for the rest of the day.

Mandatory recount for Iqaluit community director

Meanwhile, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association was able to report preliminary results for the entire Baffin region last night, although in Iqaluit there will be a mandatory recount to see who will serve as the QIA’s community director in Iqaluit.

The mandatory recount will take place within 48 hours in Iqaluit. That’s due to a two per cent difference between the top two candidates, Steven Polee Lucassie, who received 170 votes, and Jesse Mike, who received 161 votes.

The QIA’s chief returning officer, Paul Okalik, announced the following results for QIA community director positions:

• Clyde River: Mike Jaypoody won with 94 votes of 168 cast.

• Hall Beach: Abraham Qammaniq won with 48 votes of 122.

• Igloolik: Malaiya Kublu won with 83 votes of 226.

• Pond Inlet: Charlie Inuarak won with 141 votes out of 245.

• Sanikiluaq: Moses Appaqaq won with 56 votes out of 182.

P.J. Akeeagok earlier won the QIA president’s job by acclamation and Tommy Akavak won the Kimmirut community director position by acclamation.

All QIA positions carry a term of four years.

An early version of this story contained incorrect information about the result in Sanikiluaq.