Kinngait’s mayor, council positions acclaimed
Election preview: Voters in hamlet can vote for members of alcohol education committee, district education authority
In Kinngait, the community formerly known as Cape Dorset, voters will be able to vote for alcohol education committee and district education authority members as the mayor and council positions were acclaimed. (File photo)
In the days leading up to Nunavut’s municipal elections, Nunatsiaq News is giving readers a snapshot of races in each of the territory’s 25 communities.
Residents of Kinngait won’t be voting for a mayor or council this month as all of these positions are acclaimed.
The only positions to be filled are the community’s alcohol education committee and district education authority, which hold seven members each.
The municipal election is set for Oct. 23 with advance polls opening Oct. 16.
Kinngait is one of 12 restricted communities in Nunavut with an elected alcohol education committee.
These committees are tasked with reducing the negative effects of alcohol in communities through education and programming. They also regulate the purchase, sale and import of alcohol in their communities.
Eleven people are running to fill seven spots on Kinngait’s alcohol education committee.
The candidates are: Pudloo Qiatsuk, Marianne Emond, Stephen Lawrence, Tuumasi Thoma, Caleva Kelly, Alashua Kingwatsiak, Frederick Hutchings, Jeani MacKenzie, Maata Pee Pudlat, Chris Pudlat and Dana Pootoogook.
Additionally, 10 candidates are vying for the seven available district education authority positions.
Voters can choose from Martha Pallu Samayualie, Simigak Suvega, Andre Wilkinson, Chris Pudlat, Jeani MacKenzie, Mary Mikkigak, Rosie Pootoogook, Ejesiak Z. Ejesiak, Salomonie Ashoona and Sagiak Pudlat.
Several candidates, including some of the acclaimed councillors, also appear on the alcohol education committee and district education authority ballots.
Candidates are allowed to run for more than one position as long as they are not running for both mayor and municipal council at the same time.
Jimmy Manning will return as mayor after he was appointed to the position by the hamlet council in April. Manning replaced Timoon Toonoo, who resigned for health reasons.
The eight acclaimed council members are: Caleva Kelly, Andre Wilkinson, Marianne Emond, Kumaarjuk Pll, Etungat Wakta, Salomonie Ashoona, Juanisie Etidloi and Zeke Ejesiak Ejesiak.
Please tell me the real purpose of having an AEC in restricted Nunavut communities. As I know a couple community members whom sits in the AEC board that sells alcohol to local.
I also think anyone who drinks only on weekends clearly has issues with alcohol, my POV 🙄
1. Did you run for a position on the AEC
2. Did you report the bootlegger member to the RCMP
Hi John, to answer your questions, please see below.
1. I did not run for AEC as I clearly do not have family members to get me elected, as that is the main reason why individuals get voted in, not for the difference they want to make.
AND..
Very few will vote for me when they know I do not support alcohol consumption.
And lastly I did report the people who bootlegs in the community.
I wonder which and how many Hamlets are actually running elections. It seems most communities have acclamation and will need appointments.
The switch to having DEAs controlled by Elections Nunavut is having a good uptake.
Aren’t Local Housing Association boards chosen during municipal elections?