QIA top job up for grabs

Thomasie Alikatuktuk’s long reign as president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association is being contested.

Jacopoosie Peter from Iqaluit plans to challenge the Pangnirtung incumbent in the upcoming QIA elections.

Eligible Inuit beneficiaries across the Baffin region will head to the polls on Dec. 12.

Alikatuktuk first stepped into the organization’s top job as interim president in September 2001. He beat three other candidates to hold on to the position in the 2002 elections.

Many director seats for the nine Baffin communities will also see some competition. All positions are three-year terms that expire in December 2008.

The candidates list remained unofficial at press time, because not all criminal record checks had been performed.

The two candidates for president include incumbent Thomasie Alikatuktuk of Pangnirtung, as well as a new challenger: Jacopoosie Peter of Iqaluit.

Candidates for community representatives are as follows:

Cape Dorset

Simigak Suvega
Adamie Nuna
Ashevak Ezekiel
John Curley
Qimiataq Nungutsuituq
Clyde River

James Qillaq
Nick Illauq
Elijah Kautuq
Hall Beach

Jack Kammuka
Percy Pikuyak
Timut Qamukaq
Jaypetee Audlakiak
Jopie Kaernerk
Solomon Curley
Levi Kaunak
Igloolik

Lucasi Ivvalu
Pauloosie Qolitalik
George Qulaut
Christine Quasa
Louis Uttak
Solomon Allurut
Iqaluit

Sytukie Joamie
Kimmirut

Maliktuk Lyta
Matto Michael
Pond Inlet

Philip Paneak
Resolute Bay

Peter Amarualik Sr.
Zapporah Kalluk
Sanikiluaq

Joe Arragutainaq
Harry Sala
Johnny Tookalook