Lifelong politicians, educators and elders on list for NTI top job
Ten presidential candidates hail from Kivalliq, Qikiqtani Regions as well as Ottawa
Ten people put their names forward for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s top job. Top row from left are Samuel Alagalak, Okalik Eegeesiak, Paul Irngaut, Jerry Komaksiutiksak and Andrew Nakashuk. Bottom row, from left: Willie Nakoolak, Jerry Natanine, Cathy Towtongie, Jeremy Tunraluk and Gloria Uluqsi. (File photos)
Nunavut beneficiaries will face a crowded ballot in the upcoming Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. presidential byelection.
With 10 candidates running, this will be NTI’s second-most crowded presidential election ballot since Nunavut became a territory. Only in the 2010 byelection and 2012 election did more people put their names forward, with both contests boasting 11 candidates.
NTI is the legal representative for Inuit beneficiaries in Nunavut. It is responsible for ensuring promises set out in the Nunavut Agreement are carried out by the federal and territorial governments.
This May 27 byelection was called to fill the vacancy created by Jeremy Tunraluk, who resigned in January.
Here are the candidates who will be on the ballot:
Samuel Alagalak, Rankin Inlet
Alagalak is chairman of Rankin Inlet’s Kangiqliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization. In November, he led a protest against the Kivalliq Inuit Association and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. by blocking the road leading to the Meliadine gold mine site.
He previously served as Kivalliq Inuit Association’s assistant chief operating officer and secretary-treasurer.
Okalik Eegeesiak, Iqaluit
Eegeesiak served as president of Qikiqtani Inuit Association before becoming international chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council in 2014.
In 2017, Eegeesiak spoke at the United Nations praising Canada’s support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Later that year, she unsuccessfully ran to represent Iqaluit-Manirajak in the legislative assembly, losing to Adam Arreak Lightstone.
Paul Irngaut, Iqaluit
Originally from Igloolik, Irngaut is the interim president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
He became the organization’s vice-president in 2022 with his term set to expire in December 2026. Prior to that, he worked as director of wildlife and environment with NTI.
Jerry Komaksiutiksak, Ottawa
Originally from Chesterfield Inlet, Komaksiutiksak moved to Ottawa more than two decades ago to help care for his ailing father-in-law.
The former teacher has worked for the Nunavut Trust and in 2015 unsuccessfully ran for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami presidency, losing to Natan Obed.
Andrew Nakashuk, Pangnirtung
Vice-chair of Qulliq Energy Corp.’s board of directors, Nakashuk has been chair for the Nunavut Planning Commission since 2016.
He ran for NTI’s top job in 2021 and again in 2024, losing first to Aluki Kotierk and then to Jeremy Tunraluk.
Willie Nakoolak, Coral Harbour
Nakoolak is the former mayor of Coral Harbour and chair of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajii, a non-governmental advisory committee on Inuit societal values.
Jerry Natanine, Clyde River
Natanine is a former Clyde River mayor and councillor.
As mayor, he led the hamlet’s legal battle against the National Energy Board over seismic testing in the region. The case made its way to the Supreme Court, with the hamlet scoring a win in 2017.
Cathy Towtongie, Rankin Inlet
Towtongie is a veteran of Nunavut politics. She has run in seven out of nine NTI presidential elections and byelections and won three of them.
From 2017 to 2021, Towtongie also sat at the legislative assembly as MLA for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet but lost her re-election bid to Alexander Sammurtok.
Jeremy Tunraluk, Iqaluit
Tunraluk was elected as NTI president in 2024 after serving as secretary-treasurer and member at large for Qikiqtani Inuit Association, community director in Arctic Bay, and board chair for Kakivak Association.
But he was put on unpaid leave after facing a single count of assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm in December 2025. That charge was stayed during Tunraluk’s first court appearance on Jan. 15, halting the prosecution of the criminal charge.
Tunraluk resigned as president on Jan. 21, after NTI’s board passed a resolution recommending to its membership that they remove him as president.
Gloria Uluqsi, Rankin Inlet
Originally from Whale Cove, Uluqsi is a former Inuktitut teacher.
She has worked as dean of education, Inuit and university studies at Nunavut Arctic College and senior project director for Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
Twenty six years into Nunavut, the state of Inuit leadership remains depressing as all hell.
@DD. You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, It will remain this way until people start to realize that only through education and then using their voice and more importantly stepping up to become involved, will things actually begin to improve in the Territory in equal proportions to the amount of time that has passed since the birth of Nunavut.
That day cannot come soon enough.
It depends upon your criteria, bias and perspective, my wife was born on the land, she remembers her e and sin numbers. The changes I have seen in the last 35 years are impressive, Imagine her perspective.
It really is a reality check.
Mr Sam Alagalak has my vote. We do need some new blood in NTI and I hope that he will start to clean up and bring the Inuit Org back to standing
Sam talks a big talk but his actions are not in line with advancing the kivalliq or for Nunavut for that matter. If you want Nunavut to fall behind and loose jobs, then vote for Sam, if you want to move forward and continue Inuit advancement, don’t vote for Sam.
With 2027 right around the corner, this is a good time to hear the candidates’ views on where they stand on the issue of no slowing down MAID? How will lead NTI in the issue, as a guard-dog or a puppy?
Will NTI and the Nunavut Gov butt heads on the value of life?
Or join as one allowing MAID to take Inuit suffering from depression, anxiety, personality disorders, homelessness, drug addiction as a health and social and cultural well-being of Nunavut Inuit?