Makivvik election winners both concerned by low voter turnout
Incumbents Andy Moorhouse and Alicia Aragutak return as vice-president and corporate secretary respectively
Makivvik corporate secretary Alicia Aragutak, left, and vice-president of economic development Andy Moorhouse were both re-elected in Thursday’s vote in Nunavik. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Incumbent vice-president Andy Moorhouse and corporate secretary Alicia Aragutak were re-elected to their positions with Makivvik in elections held across Nunavik Thursday but both say they’re concerned by the lower voter turnout.
For Moorhouse, the win means a third three-year term as vice-president of economic development. He first served from 2016 to 2019, and was elected again in 2022.
Of the 10,141 eligible voters only 1,969 showed up on election day, for a voter turnout rate of 19.4 per cent., according to Makivvik, the corporation responsible for promoting the rights of Inuit in Nunavik.
For that reason, Moorhouse said, his win came with mixed emotions.
“It is a way of voicing your opinion and making sure that you have a voice in a democratic process,” he said of the election in a phone interview Friday. “I will continue to be committed in working toward the betterment of all Nunavik.”
In 2022, the last time Moorhouse and Aragutak were elected, voter turnout was 29.4 per cent.
“[The voters] believed in what I had campaigned for. Ensuring that we continue to build, to develop our economic stability within the region, and with the work we are doing on the procurement policy,” Moorhouse said.
The procurement policy aims to make it easier for local businesses to compete against ones from the south for tenders issued in Nunavik.
He received 1,340 votes, or 68.1 per cent of the ballots cast. His opponent was Eyetsiak Papigatuk, who ran on improving socioeconomic development like family houses and elder homes in communities.
“There is room for socioeconomic development, but at the same time you need proper economic development,” Moorhouse said.
He believes businesses create wealth, and that socioeconomic initiatives are good support that contribute toward the economy and Makivvik supports them, he said.
Aragutak, re-elected as corporate secretary for her second term, said in a phone interview, “It is very exciting, very humbling and re-energizes me to push forward.”
She said she too is concerned by the small number of voters who cast ballots.
“It has been like that for years, so we have to find ways to try and gain the attention of the people, see what else we can do to get them to vote,” she said.
As corporate secretary, Aragutak is responsible a large department that takes care of all administrative tasks within the corporation. Her priority has been to decentralize the organization away from Kuujjuaq and build infrastructure in all Nunavik communities.
There are now eight offices, and she said she intends to create a bigger one in Inukjuak to increase Makivvik’s presence on the Hudson coast.
Aragutak received 1,212 votes, or 61.6 per cent of the ballots cast; her opponent was Jonathan Epoo.
“I kept a close eye on his campaign, he was able to go into more details as to what our societal issues are within different organizations,” she said. “These are issues that we will continue to lobby and to stimulate discussions.”
Makivvik’s next election is in 2026 for the positions of vice-president of environment, wildlife and research, and for treasurer. Both of those are also for three-year terms.
Voicing our OPINION!!!! Since when does the MAKIVIK CORPORATION really LISTEN TO our concerns and our OPINIONS? Those who are elected do what theyre told to do by those higher ups. In other words dont bite the hand that feeds you. This could possibly be a sociosystemic organizations run by those who only want to benefit themselves. Such as taps on their backs for doing naaathing.
Sounds-a-lot like NTI and Kivalliq KIA whom are puppets to some big daddy. Absolute power corrupts absolutely….we despised Trump but look at our “leaders”…..
Next time just do like NTI give $100 for person when they vote. I think most of the Nunavutmiut vote 16 years old and over. That money was maybe supposed to be for Inuit workers who never been answered and use that money for voters.
Gotta give out gift cards if u wamt people to vote it’s a known fact
Most of the voters dont see how Makivvik has improved their day to day lives. The mandate “to relieve the Nunavik Inuit of Poverty” has not been felt. What programs have directly impacted our average income? How have they impacted our income taxes? These are questions that the members don’t even… remember to ask. JBNQA was created to give the region public services for all Canadians while giving Inuit rights to hint and be Inuit. Small portions. And in those small portions were decided to have the public services; ie municipalities. People dont know what the heck Makivvik is meant for. Not even its board or executives. Not even Legault makes that much salary.
I dare you to ask someone… what do Makivvik do? What are they supposed to do?
Aatsuuk.
Complaining aside Makivvik does much for us. The box of frozen food at holiday time which came a bit late this year, the reduced airfare huge saving there, the support for more healthy communities as with the Kuujjuaq Rehab Centre, etc. A greater turnout would show appreciation. The severe winter weather we have been having did not help, a more weather friendly time, September can be considered. People that have unresolved issues with authority (from bad parenting, etc) oft result in rants from the those blinders. It does not resolve anything. Dr Alok Kanojia a scholar, former monk, and psychiatrist has much helpful information online about mental health and wellbeing.