Three-way race on for Kivalliq Inuit Association secretary-treasurer job

Leading up to the Dec. 12 elections for Nunavut’s regional Inuit associations, Nunatsiaq News will publish profiles of candidates vying for the executive positions on each association’s board of directors. 

Three hopefuls are in the race to be the next secretary-treasurer of the Kivalliq Inuit Association. 

Steve Mapsalak from Naujaat, and Samuel Alagalak and Trisha Makpah-Crocker, both from Rankin Inlet, are running for the position, which will involve being part of the association’s board of directors, helping shape its political direction, developing and monitoring policies that direct the operations of the organization. 

The board is comprised of the president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer, according to the Kivalliq Inuit Association website. They are elected through a region-wide election along with seven directors.

Nunatsiaq News asked candidates why they are running for secretary-treasurer, what experience they bring to the position and the issues they see the association facing over the next four years. 

Samuel Alagalak 

Samuel Alagalak is running for the secretary-treasurer of the Kivalliq Inuit Association in this year’s election to ensure transparency and fairness. (Photo by David Venn)

Former KIA assistant chief operating officer Samuel Alagalak said he is running for secretary-treasurer to “ensure transparency with KIA and their operations, fairness for all Inuit and to introduce new ideas to our operations and governance.” 

“I think the voter turnout speaks volumes when you have a very small portion of Inuit actually casting their votes and I think Inuit are demanding change,” he said. “They’re demanding transparency and fairness.” 

Alagalak said his platform for transparency applies to “public financial matters in plain language.”

Alagalak has also held positions in the past that gave him his knowledge and experience relevant to the post. He says he began working in construction very young and in the local hunters and trappers association.  He’s also been self-employed in construction and an employee in the petroleum products division of the Nunavut government. 

Alagalak says all these positions have prepared him for the role of secretary-treasurer with KIA.

“I have a very good understanding of Inuit priorities, but also financial management and record-keeping.”

Trisha Makpah-Crocker 

Trisha Makpah-Crocker is running for secretary-treasurer to help improve how payments that are part of the organization’s legacy fund are invested.

Trisha Makpah-Crocker is running for secretary-treasurer with the Kivalliq Inuit Association to help how it invests in Inuit and update its financial and administrative manuals. (Photo courtesy of Trisha Makpah-Crocker)

KIA’s legacy fund, according to the fund’s bylaw, is meant “to effectively and transparently manage designated revenues to achieve economic self-sufficiency of Kivalliq Inuit through time, in a manner consistent with Inuit social and cultural needs and aspirations.”

The fund includes contributions from royalties, the Nunavut Inuit Resource Revenue Trust and the Inuit impact and benefit agreement for the Meadowbank mine with Agnico Eagle. 

It aims to deliver “consistent, predictable and positive benefits to Kivallirmiut year over year by recognizing, prioritizing and addressing community needs and education-related barriers to long-term prosperity.”

Because of her experience as the chief operating officer with KIA over the past year, Makpah-Crocker said she has knows about the association’s operations and governance structure. She said this would help her advocate for better investments on the association’s behalf. 

“I just want to stress and enhance [investments], and, to put it plainly, make sure the money is working hard for the beneficiaries.” 

Makpah-Crocker also said she wants to improve the association’s financial and administrative manuals, especially given its involvement in mineral exploration and development. 

“The Kivalliq Inuit Association has been the largest grower in mineral exploration for people who have seen the largest growth compared to the other Inuit,” she said. “We’ve also seen the largest population growth so the manuals really need to be modernized and updated to make sure they’re still relevant compared to years ago.” 

Steve Mapsalak 

Naujaat resident Steve Mapsalak is running for secretary-treasurer of the Kivalliq Inuit Association. (Photo by David Venn)

Steve Mapsalak did not respond to Nunatsiaq News’ request for an interview in time for publication. 

A resident of Naujaat, Mapsalak travelled to France in September as part of a delegation led by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., demanding the extradition of Rev. Johannes Rivoire to Canada, where he would face an indecent assault charge police laid against him earlier this year.

Rivoire worked in Arviat and Naujaat as a Roman Catholic parish priest between 1960 and 1992. He has been accused of sexually abusing children during that time, though none of the allegations have been tried in court.

The KIA election for secretary-treasurer and community director positions is scheduled for Dec. 12.

Inuit may vote, at advance polls on Dec. 5, on election day, Dec. 12, by mobile polls from Dec. 6 to 9, proxy vote, or mail-in ballot, according to KIA’s website.

To cast a ballot in the KIA election, a voter must be at least 16 years old as of election day, be Inuk enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement, and be a resident of the Kivalliq region.