Levi Barnabas re-elected as QIA’s vice-president

Levi Barnabas was re-elected vice-president of Qikiqtani Inuit Association Monday, winning 64 per cent of the votes against two challengers.

The unofficial election results are published on the association’s website.

Barnabas received 4,722 votes, over three times more than second-place finisher David Qamaniq, who got 1,491 votes. Jaco Newkingak came in third with 1,313 votes.

Barnabas was the incumbent vice-president and a former speaker of the legislative assembly. He was elected for a four-year term.

Adamee Itorcheak was elected secretary-treasurer as well, receiving 4,287 votes. Other candidates were Jason Kaernerk, with 1,807 votes, and Cornelius Kadloo Nutarak with 1,407 votes.

QIA is the organization promoting the rights of Inuit in Qikiqtani Region.

The secretary-treasurer post was vacated by Jeremy Tunraluk, who was elected president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Along with vice-president and secretary-treasurer, Inuit beneficiaries in Qikiqtani also elected community directors in Arctic Bay (Kataisee Attagutsiak), Grise Fiord (Larry Audlaluk), Pangnirtung (Billy Etooangat), Qikiqtarjuaq (Rosemary Metuq), Kinngait (Martha Jaw) and Resolute Bay (Sarah Salluviniq).

Voter turnout in Qikiqtani increased significantly compared to previous years with 63 per cent of Qikiqtani Inuit casting a ballot.

At QIA’s last elections in 2022, the association’s president and community directors were elected with 20.6 per cent voter turnout.

This year QIA’s vice-presidential elections ran alongside the presidential elections for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

NTI came up with several initiatives to boost voter participation for its election, including offering a $100 voucher to Inuit beneficiaries who showed up at the polls.