Mary Simon goes for ITK’s top job

The veteran Inuit leader from northern Quebec, Mary Simon, wants to be considered for the top executive job at the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

ITK’s current president, Jose Kusugak, told Nunatsiaq News last week that in July he’ll quit the job, which he’s held for six years, to spend time with his family in Rankin Inlet.

The four regional presidents who comprise ITK’s board, and about eight other delegates, will choose Kusugak’s successor on July 7 at ITK’s annual general meeting, to be held this year in the isolated Inuvaluit community of Ulukhaktok.

It was one of those four regional presidents, Pita Aatami, who last week nominated Simon, an indication that she may already be a shoo-in for the job.

During her long career, Simon has held numerous high-profile positions with Inuit organizations and governments: president of Makivik Corp. in the 1980s; president of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference from 1986 to 1992; ITC board member from 1991 to 1994; Canada’s circumpolar ambassador from 1994 to 2003; Canada’s ambassador to Denmark from 1999 to 2001; and chancellor of Trent University from 1995 to 1999.

She has also won numerous honours: the Order of Canada; the National Order of Quebec; the Gold Honour of Greenland; a National Aboriginal Achievement Award; and the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Nominations for ITK’s top job close June 16 at 5:00 p.m. You may find more information at www.itk.ca.