New Pangnirtung mayor says he’s listening, wants to build trust

Newly elected Pangnirtung Mayor Umar Kukkadi says his first priorities will be to listen to residents and build trust across the community, after being sworn in Tuesday at the hamlet office.

“I am excited and at the same time nervous about the challenges ahead and the assignments I have,” Kukkadi said in an interview.

His wife, Shamim Sharif, a longtime teacher, helped him during his campaign and was thrilled when he won.

“She says, ‘You’re now getting into your true passion of being in community engagement,’” Kukkadi said.

The couple have lived in Pangnirtung since 2010 and have two children.

Kukkadi, a regional finance manager with Nunavut’s Department of Health, won Monday’s mayoral byelection with 196 votes, defeating Cathy MacDougall who received 35 votes.

During the month-long campaign, he went door to door in the community of about 1,500 residents, meeting people and hearing their concerns. Housing was a top issue, with many people pointing to shortages and homes in need of repair, he said.

Others raised infrastructure concerns, including an unstable temporary bridge that connects Pangnirtung’s uptown and downtown areas and which has a sharp curve.

“It’s a dangerous spot, so they asked if something could be done about it,” Kukkadi said.

Waste management and pollution from burning garbage were also mentioned, along with concerns about grocery prices. Some residents questioned whether federal subsidies intended to reduce food costs are fully reflected in store prices.

A community meeting will be held within the next two weeks, Kukkadi said, to discuss these issues.

He hopes to appoint someone to be responsible for maintaining regular communication with residents.

“Listening will be the most important priority,” he said, “and then build strong trust and relationships with the council and community members,” including schools, family and health services, and Inuit organizations.

Their feedback could promote a better economy, he added.

Kukkadi hopes to establish an elders governance committee within the next few weeks. Strengthening teamwork between the hamlet council and administration will also be key.

“It’s not the council versus the hamlet administration — it should be teamwork,” he said. “We are one and we are providing the service.

Drawing on his years in finance and government, Kukkadi said he plans to make sure all available resources and Government of Nunavut funding are properly used.

“My passion has been to work with people, but I was always an employee,” he said. “This has given me an opportunity to work with people, being a people person.”