Nunavik Inuit to vote in three-way race for Makivik president

Charlie Watt, Pita Aatami and Noah Cain running to lead Nunavik’s Inuit birthright organization

A voter casts his ballot at the Kuujjuaq Forum in January 2019 for two of Makivik Corp.’s executive positions. Nunavimmiut will vote in Makivik’s presidential election on Feb. 4. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)

By Sarah Rogers

Nunavik Inuit will head to the polls Feb. 4 to vote for Makivik Corp.’s next president.

Makivik confirmed three candidates Jan. 11, after nominations for the role closed last week. It holds elections for executive positions every three years.

Incumbent president Charlie Watt will seek re-election next month. Watt resigned from the Senate in 2017 to return to lead Nunavik’s Inuit birthright organization, which he helped found in 1978.

Another past president is seeking re-election: Pita Aatami, who served as Makivik’s president between 1998 and 2012. Aatami is currently president and CEO of Air Inuit.

Newcomer Noah Cain is also seeking Makivik’s presidency. Cain works as a Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau housing manager in Tasiujaq.

Makivik used to hold elections for its executive positions in early January. But its board of directors decided last year to move its election date by a few weeks to ensure that the campaign period wasn’t interrupted by the Christmas holidays.

Sitting executives running for re-election, like Watt, must step away from their role during the campaign period.

Polls will open in all Nunavik communities on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Advance polls will open Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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(7) Comments:

  1. Posted by Lest we forget on

    Bonus executive #2. Bonus bonus bonus… how much did the executives get again? the board got some as well.

  2. Posted by Bobby on

    Hehe, 20 hours voting time!!!???

  3. Posted by Nunavik Inuk on

    Same old same old , no new blood.

  4. Posted by Concerned Beneficiary member on

    I’m not voting on this
    As always Kuujjuaq will be first on everything and first to get.

  5. Posted by not ready on

    I never believed in Makivik corporation, lets stick to Quebec Government.

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