Joamie an advocate for Inuit, homeowners

DENISE RIDEOUT

Gideonie Joamie, who was born and raised in Iqaluit, wants Inuit to have a greater say in city planning, spending and other major decisions that affect residents.

That’s why he’s running for one of the two positions on Iqaluit city council.

“I honestly believe the longtime residents and the Inuit should play a bigger role in the goings on of their community” the 29-year-old said in an interview this week.

When the nominations for the by-election closed on Sept. 30, Joamie and his brother Sytukie were running against each other. But Sytukie dropped out of the race this week.

Joamie is no stranger to elections. He ran for town council several years ago and was a candidate in the Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s presidential election in December 2000.

He’s also seen city council’s workings from the other side: he sat on its financial, legislative and administrative committee for two years, making decisions on new bylaws and city spending.

The father of two has a financial background. Has worked as a financial clerk for the legislative assembly and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Joamie is eager to see some changes to the way council runs, especially in how it handles new development.

Council shouldn’t be rejecting new housing projects simply because it doesn’t like the color or shape of the proposed building, he said.

Rather, council should encourage development. “I think it was wrong for council to stop development because we’re in a housing crisis.”
Joamie said his biggest priority will be fighting for homeowners’ rights.

He’s staunchly opposed to the way the city is attempting to recover overdue property taxes. He said when the administration takes homeowners to court for not paying their bills, it means some people could lose their homes. “We’ve got to explore all options before we kick people out of their homes,” he said.

Joamie is proposing council forgive the interest on the money owed.

Another bone of contention for him is the lack of accountability he sees at the council. “Who is accountable? No one is. If they screw up on a project, no one is held accountable.”

He said council should take more responsibility for getting its projects going, such as the sewage treatment plant, which after $7 million, still isn’t working.

Council should also take a greater interest in the youth population, Joamie said. “I’d like to see the old arena kept open. I’d like to see it open in the summertime as well.”