Kevin Kablutsiak is running for president as a candidate of change at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Kablutsiak)
Kevin Kablutsiak vows to be president of ‘renewal’ at ITK
Ex-CBC executive puts name forward for Sept. 18 election
Kevin Kablutsiak is putting his name forward for the upcoming Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami presidential election, hoping to become a president of “renewal.”
“I think that this is a moment of opportunity. Opportunity to renew, reconnect, and also to reflect on who we are today as Inuit,” he said in a phone interview Friday.
“And I’m putting my name forward because I want to be part of that renewal.”
Kablutsiak, 47, is the first challenger to publicly announce he will run against incumbent president Natan Obed, who has been at the helm of the national Inuit organization for the past 10 years.
ITK spokesperson Patricia D’Souza declined to say whether there are any other registered candidates. The election’s chief returning officer didn’t respond to an inquiry Friday afternoon.
Along with several positions at ITK, Kablutsiak’s resume includes work for various organizations such as Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., First Air and Canadian North. He also served as executive director for the Arctic Inspiration Prize and managing editor at CBC North.
Currently, he works as a communications and marketing consultant for Sivummut Solutions.
Kablutsiak is not running “against” anyone, he said.
“I’m not against what Natan has done, and I think he’s done a remarkable job at the national level advocating for Inuit,” he said.
“I wanna build on that foundation, but I wanna do it in a different way.”
Kablutsiak said he hopes to visit all four Inuit Nunangat regions: Nunavut, Nunavik, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Nunatsiavut, in the first 100 days of his presidency if he wins.
This “listening tour” is part of his plan to make ITK more attuned to local issues Inuit face.
“National leadership, really, should feel close and not far,” Kablutsiak said.
When it comes to ITK’s ongoing projects like Inuit Nunangat University, he said the tour will help him determine what direction the organization should take, adding that some of strategic priorities might have to be revisited to reflect what he will hear from Inuit.
“I believe that I have something to offer — a leadership style that is grounded in humility and collaboration,” he said.
ITK’s next president will be selected Sept. 18 by a vote among four recognized Inuit organizations, along with two delegates from each region and the vice-president of ITK.
Candidates must be Inuit beneficiaries over the age of 18. They can be nominated either by a designated member representative from one of the Inuit organizations or they can write a letter describing their leadership experience, according to the election rules.
The nomination deadline for the election is Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.
Running for president as a candidate of change, what your going to change? The cost of living I hope? Just empty promises.
Populist – often used for politicians who appeal to the people with bold promises, even if impractical.
Demagogue – someone who gains support by appealing to emotions, fears, or desires, sometimes with empty promises.
Empty promises politician – more of a descriptive phrase than a formal title.
Paper tiger candidate – informal, implying they look strong or promising but have no real power to deliver.
What have you done for the Iqaluit council Kyle S?
Have you broken any promises yourself?
I’m not on Frobisher bays counsel. Not sure whom your thinking of buddy.
Don’t bother. It’s rigged.
The ink isn’t dry on his regiistrrattion and he isbei gotta ked. Ever wonderwhy it is hard to find good people to run for theese public service jobs. Who would want to seervee in this environment of constant criticism.