Sheutiapik throws her hat in the ring
Acclaimed in the last election, Iqaluit’s mayor says she will run for a third term
Iqaluit Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik says she will run for mayor again in this October’s municipal election.
Sheutiapik, who was acclaimed to the position for her second term in the last election, told Nunatsiaq News she knew she wanted to run again, but had to make sure she had the support of her son and husband before making the final decision.
“It’s been seven years now,” she said. Sheutiapik served one year as a regular council member before first being elected mayor in 2003.
“I wanted to make sure first that my young lad wasn’t feeling neglected, and that my husband wasn’t feeling burnt out from running the business without much help from me.”
She said both gave her the go-ahead without hesitation.
Sheutiapik and her husband, Brian Twerdin, own The Grind and Brew coffee shop near the Iqaluit breakwater.
The mayor said her main aim in the next term will be to guide the city through the completion of it’s long-term vision — “because everything else falls under that.”
She also said she hopes there will be some women on council after this election, as she believes it makes for more discussion and better decisions. Sheutiapik was the only woman on council in the last term.
Among current councillors, only Jim Little and Jimmy Kilabuk have so far confirmed their intention to run again.
“I can’t leave a sinking ship,” Little said. “It’s not in my nature.”
The rest appear to still be pondering their options, although councillor Al Hayward told Nunatsiaq News he doesn’t plan that far ahead.
Chief Returning Officer Kirt Ejesiak said at press time he had not received any other nominations.
Nominations are being accepted now, until 3 p.m. on Sept. 14. More information, including nomination papers are available at city hall, or at www.iqaluitelections.ca.
Iqaluit’s election will take place Oct. 19. In addition to the mayor’s position, voting will be open for:
- eight city councillors;
- seven members of the Iqaluit District Education Authority;
- seven members of the Apex DEA; and
- five members of the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut.
Advance polls will be held Oct. 6.
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