NTI presidential candidates talk priorities, personal qualities at Iqaluit debate

This story was updated Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. ET

The four candidates running to be Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s next president answered questions Nov. 30 about their priorities, personal qualities and government relations.

Nicole Camphaug, Andrew Nakashuk and Jeremy Tunraluk were onstage for a debate at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, while Cathy Towtongie participated by videoconference from Rankin Inlet.

CBC host Eva Michael moderated the debate, which 35 audience members attended. It was also streamed on NTI’s Facebook page.

The event followed a question-and-answer format, where candidates were given three minutes each to answer queries from either Michael or an audience member.

At the top of the evening, candidates were asked about their priorities.

Camphaug said supporting elders, youth employment and making sure NTI stays on the “main stage” as an organization that advocates for Nunavut Inuit.

Camphaug is an Iqaluit resident who recently took a leave of absence as NTI CEO Kilikvak Karen Kabloona’s executive assistant to run as president of the organization.

For Pangnirtung’s Nakashuk, vice-chairman of Qulliq Energy Corp., communication of NTI’s work to the public and promoting Inuit languages are on his priority list.

Former NTI president Towtongie, based in Rankin Inlet, highlighted transparency, especially when it comes NTI’s finances.

Tunraluk lives in Iqaluit and has held several community leadership roles.

He said he feels “like NTI is opposing the government all the time,” and wants that to stop.

The candidates were also asked about how they would approach federal and territorial government relations.

Camphaug spoke of NTI’s seat on the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, where NTI can have direct access to federal ministers and to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In addition to improving relations with the federal government, Nakashuk said NTI should also focus on improving relations with hamlets.

Towtongie emphasized the need to work with the federal and territorial governments to tackle issues such as the cost of food and Inuktitut education.

Tunraluk shared his fellow candidates’ desires for better relations with governments, emphasizing the need to “work together instead of against each other.”

The candidates shared their ideas about advocating for lower airfare, supporting urban Nunavut Inuit in places like Edmonton and Ottawa, and calling for better support for Inuit education and health care.

When asked: why should you be the next president of NTI?

Tunraluk promised to lead with collaboration and teamwork.

“We have known that there’s division,” he said.

“If we hear from Inuit out there, things can be improved.”

Towtongie is running to make “change,” she said, adding that, “If changes are not happening, it will not benefit any one of us.”

Nakashuk drew upon his many experiences in public service, including with the federal government and at the Nunavut Planning Commission. He said he wants to tackle food security.

“Inuit are not represented as they should be,” he said.

Camphaug also spoke of her three-decade career of public service. But, she said those roles haven’t given her the opportunity to help Inuit — which is her goal.

“I want to be able to be progressive and hopeful for the youth, for the future,” she said.

The tone of the debate was respectful, and candidates rarely exceeded their three-minute time limit. At the end, three candidates in the room shared hugs and shook hands.

Advance polls open Monday, ahead of NTI’s election day on Dec 9.

Note: This story was updated to correct the wording in a quote attributed to Jeremy Tunraluk