Makivvik presidential candidate Harry Tulugak wants to fight for Nunavik land
3 vying to lead organization that represents Inuit in region; election set for Feb. 1
Harry Tulugak (middle) in 2011 holding final agreement from a public consultation made by the Nunavik Regional Government in 2011. (File photo by Pascal Poulin)
Nunatsiaq News is publishing profiles of the three candidates for Makivvik president ahead of the organization’s 2024 election.
Harry Tulugak wants Inuit to regain control over Nunavik’s land and resources.
He is running for president of Makivvik Corp., the organization that represents Inuit in the region. The election is scheduled for Feb. 1.
Tulugak is a former mayor of Puvirnituq and has served as Inuulitsivik Health Board interim director general. Most recently, he worked as general manager of Puvirnituq’s Co-op store.
If elected, Tulugak, 66, said he aims to bring the principles of a group called Inuit Tungavingat Nunamini to the forefront of Makivvik.
Inuit Tungavingat Nunamini were political dissidents who opposed certain parts of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement negotiations, the land claims deal between Inuit and Cree in northern Quebec and the Quebec government.
In section two of the agreement, Quebec’s Inuit cede all “claims, titles, rights and interests” to the land they inhabit.
“Makivvik lost all say over Nunavik land,” Tulugak said in a phone interview with Nunatsiaq News.
“Makivvik has no chance of ever getting back any land on its own as a treaty organization,” he said. “[But] we have never lost our birthright inheritance, our dominion over the resources.”
Tulugak said he believes Inuit Tungavingat Nunamini can still exercise those rights, potentially through establishing this group’s presence on Makivvik’s land committee.
He quoted a philosophy from the late Inuit Tungavingat Nunamini leader Taamusi Qumaq, who said “our future generations will inherit these ancestral lands in perpetuity.”
There was animosity in the region for many years between Makivvik and those opposed to section two.
“It is time to work together now, and establish our authority over Nunavik land,” said Tulugak.
Aside from land issues, he said he wants to improve conditions for elders.
“I would establish a few rooms in key communities, to make sure that these elders don’t have to be shipped south to die,” he said.
Another key part of Tulugak’s campaign involves Inuktitut language revitalization.
Also running for president of Makivvik Corp. are incumbent Pita Aatami and challenger Suzy Kauki.
No mention of jobs for inuks by any of the candidates , just give me power !!!
you gota know him, who he really is. I judge people on their character, not their accomplishments. how they treat employees. and fellow community members. Aukaammarittara taanna.
@NunatsiakNews, why did you not post my comments on the other candidates profiles? What are you, propaganda?
Lions and Chiefs in the Super Bowl
Betting pool and elimination draws….. big money big money.
Harryngai…protect the homefront.
Eskimo Joe, now I am going to have to look for you. You have no originality.
We are still Quebec’ers ( quebecois )
It hasn’t become Nunavik yet.
you have a nunavik beneficiary card just like the rest of us , that makes it your in nunavik. you also get nunavik benefits.
just like nunavut devolution story negitive comments, will this flood with negitive comments aswell ? Ungrateful nunavimmiuqatiks.
Are you fearful of negative comments? And what do you mean by negative comments? Do you ant one big agreement to one side only ? Status quo, is that what you want. Fearful of not speaking your truth. Is what keeps us in the past. Negative comments to some, are not ready negative. It’s just that it challenges. Some people don’t want a challenge, my way or no way they say.
What with the outside world pushing at the gate there need be solidarity in the territory, less cheap criticism more thought into what is said and the consequences of bad mouthing without just cause. On the support for the language Avataq would do well to make better use of the generous funding it has recently received and provide in class instruction for anyone willing to sign on and improve their Inutituut.
being a beneficiary is important but does not give you all rights. Like if you don’t speak proper Inuktitut you don’t have a right to run for Inuit orgs. KRG or communities are not a Inuit org. for instance. Some things do not make sense.