Who is running in your riding? Nunavut candidates come forward
Most ridings have at least one registered candidate as of Thursday morning
Nunavummiut are beginning to put their names forward as candidates in the Oct. 27 territorial election. (File photo by Mélanie Ritchot)
Nunavummiut are beginning to put their names forward as candidates in the Oct. 27 territorial election.
The nomination period opened Monday and closes Friday at 2 p.m. local time.
As of Thursday morning, most ridings had at least one candidate.
The list posted to the Elections Nunavut website included:
- Amittuq: Paul Haulli; Abraham Qammaniq
- Aivilik: Solomon Malliki
- Arviat North-Whale Cove: John Main, Tony Uluadluak;
- Arviat South: Jamie Kablutsiak;
- Baker Lake: Craig Simailak
- Cambridge Bay: Pamela Hakongak Gross, Peter Ohokak;
- Gjoa Haven: Joanni Sallerina;
- Hudson Bay: Daniel Qavvik;
- Iqaluit-Manirajak: Adam Arreak Lightstone, Gwen Healey Akearok;
- Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu: David Akeeagok;
- Iqaluit-Sinaa: Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster;
- Iqaluit-Tasiluk: George Hickes, Malaiya Lucassie;
- Kugluktuk: Simon Kuliktana, Stanley Anablak, Bobby Anavilok;
- Netsilik: Joseph Quqqiaq, Cecile Nelvana Lyall;
- Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet: Cathy Q. Towtongie, Alexander Sammurtok;
- Rankin Inlet South: Tagak Curley;
- South Baffin: David Joanassie;
- Tununiq: David Qamaniq, Verna Strickland, Brian Koonoo.
There were no candidates listed as of Thursday morning in Aggu, Pangnirtung, Quttiktuq or Uqqummiut.
Incumbent MLAs who have stated their intention to seek re-election but are yet to appear on the Elections Nunavut page include Joanna Quassa (Aggu) and Mary Killiktee (Uqqummiut).
Cabinet ministers and outgoing MLAs who have stated they will not seek re-election include Premier P.J. Akeeagok (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu), Tony Akoak (Gjoa Haven), Lorne Kusugak (Rankin Inlet South), Joe Savikataaq (Arviat South), Margaret Nakashuk (Pangnirtung), Karen Nutarak (Tununiq) and Joelie Kaernerk (Amittuq).
Elections Nunavut is posting the names of candidates, campaign staff and local returning officers on its website. Election day is set for Oct. 27.
Almost all old people.
This is a great opportunity to turn the page from a useless bureaucratic operated government to a representative one and no one is stepping up. Quit whining and RUN!
Have you seen how public officials are slaughtered on social media?! Who would voluntarily step into that!
No thank you!
I applaud those who have come forward!!! There is so much lateral violence. This extends to Inuit who are in Principal positions within schools. Directors
within government. Inuit have to prove them selves twice as much against their own and to white peope. They have to work twice as hard to earn their worth.
Never seen that happen in all my years in Nunavut
Just out there complaining and doing nothing about it.
Iqaluit-Tasiluk, do the right thing and don’t vote for the person who had to resign from
City council after saying offensive things.
I don’t agree with everything Hickes does but at least he’s a professional and competent MLA and former Minister.
So, what are we thinking in terms of a new Premier?
I am thinking we will have a new Premier from the Kitikmeot!
I totally agree it should be Pamela Hakongak Gross
Yes for Pamila but nope because we need a premier who speaks Inuktut.
John Main for Premier.
We have to stop this whole thing “regions against each other”! We are such a small population of Inuit and let’s reunite and up lift each other. I’m from the Baffin region and I could care less who will get appointed as premier. I just hope the next person is competent and has knowledge about politics. Again, let’s stop this whole nonsense about regions- and start tackling some major issues across Nunavut
It isn’t regions against each other. It’s that the strongest candidate with the most political acumen and isn’t a “yes man/woman” is from the Kitikmeot region.
Not enough educated Inuit. Too many recycled old blowhards. Nunavut is going backwards.
Our future calls for something new.
We face urgent challenges especially in mental health and suicide prevention that demand fresh thinking, active listening, and bold leadership. Mr. Curley and Cathy don’t have the mindset for change. Too many families have suffered in silence. Too many youth feel unheard. We cannot afford to keep doing things the same way.
We need leaders who reflect the energy and ideas of our younger generations, who understand the realities of today and are ready to fight for tomorrow.
Suicide prevention starts with hope. Hope grows when people feel seen, valued, and supported. That begins with leadership that listens and evolves.
Let’s open the door to new voices. Let’s choose progress.
Agreed, but the door is open… looks like we are stuck with a slate of ‘same old same old’ . What a disappointment
We should replace the inukshuk on our flag with a groundhog
Tagak running to force the GN to pay for his renos to his public housing lol! If you get elected to be an MLA and you live in public housing, you should have to give up your public housing to a young family who needs it.
The only thing Cathy will accomplish is making everyone feel bullied and uncomfortable.
He owns his own place.
Tagak has been a home owner most of his life! Former housing minister owned one that was under housing program back then. After a few years ,he sold it and made big bucks! He got away living free public housing long enough so kudus and good luck to Tagak.
We are sick of harmless politicians. We need politicians who have guts to bully and make others feel uncomfortable.
The last government was too comfortable, even taking care of their children in the legislature during sitting.
Go Cathy Go Cathy !
It is very unfortunate to see at this late stage 24 hrs. before nominations end; that there are not more names, or more younger Nunavummiut’s putting their name in the hat. Things over the last 4 years were NOT good. No need to rehash everything from Healthcare, to Social Services to Housing to Education, etc..
The people that sat in the Legislative Assembly these past 4 years own what did and most importantly did not happen. 25 years in and Nunavut needs a shot of adrenaline, new ideas, and new energy. I have visited almost every community and do not buy the stories often used on why people do not run, things such as, “not educated enough” or “lazy” or “don’t care”. Sure, there are people like that, there always is and they are everywhere (not just Nunavut). But in most cases in these communities, it simply is not true. In every community there are good people, smart people, people with ideas that could help form the Nunavut of the future.
It is disheartening to think that the same names, ones seen election after election will possibly get voted in and some by what appears at this late hour will be by acclamation. Change cannot come without effort. Without standing up and without taking risk. Without challenging oneself to go outside their comfort zone. I hope these words and some of the other commentators will reach some people in the communities who are debating if to run. Perhaps it can prompt them to come forward before 2pm local time tomorrow (Friday). Nunavut needs you. The “same old”, can no longer be the, “same way”. It is the only real chance Nunavut and Nunavummiut have if they hope to see actual progress and results.
Whether you run or not, please make sure to get out and vote. Do your research, read the numerous AG Reports that were tabled over the last 4 years, see media reports, see social media postings, ask the candidates questions, hard questions, and then make good, informed choices on who deserves your vote. It is your vote for you and your children’s future.
I believe many people do not run because they need to take a leave of absence from their job. Either they cannot afford to take that leave, or if they can it’s still a sizeable amount of money to risk losing out on, especially since you run the risk of losing and having nothing to show for it. With the cost of living these days, missing out on over a month of pay, while also paying for a campaign, can really set you back.
I agree with a lot if the comments here. I ran in the 2017 race against incumbent Paul Quassa. The race was very close and the excitement and hope that the race brought to the community was obvious in the amount of new voters and discussions that were held. If you want to make a difference get involved share ideas and run for the betterment of your community
This is a very weak list of candidates to date, the bureaucrats at the GN must be smiling, it will be even easier for them to control the government and make decisions for the mlas, our DMs like to act like they are politicians instead of public servants, it’s a huge problem at the GN and no mla will question this.