Three’s company in Pangnirtung election race

Nunatsiaq News is publishing riding profiles ahead of the Oct. 27 territorial election. Keep your eye on our website to learn more about who is running in your area.

Three men in Pangnirtung are vying to be the community’s next MLA, after Margaret Nakashuk announced last month she will not seek a third term in office.

The three candidates are Andrew Nakashuk, Johnny Mike and Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk.

Nakashuk, who is married to the riding’s outgoing MLA, enters the race with experience working at the municipal, territorial and federal levels of government and as vice-chairperson of Qulliq Energy Corp.

Last year, he ran for president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and finished third behind winner Jeremy Tunraluk and runner-up Cathy Towtongie.

Nakashuk said in an interview that Pangnirtung needs an upgraded arena, an elders’ home and a wildlife officer to work at the local wildlife office.

He promises to be a “voice” for the community in the territorial government.

“I’m not afraid to say what I want to say,” he said. “I will put people first, fight for fair treatment, support our youth and hunters.”

Mike is no stranger to Nunavut politics, having worked as a land claim negotiator in the early 1990s.

At age 70, he hopes to return as MLA for Pangnirtung. He held that position from 2013 to 2017, and filled several cabinet roles in that time including environment minister.

Mike listed numerous campaign issues he wants to address.

To tackle Nunavut’s housing shortage the territory needs to build 800 homes per year, he said, to match its growing population.

As a new school curriculum is rolled out in Nunavut, he said he wants it to cover topics including truth and reconciliation, and the land claim agreement process.

Mike also hopes to address food insecurity following the loss of the Inuit Child First Initiative hamlet food voucher program earlier this year.

He said he wants to re-enter the government as Nunavut takes control of its land and resources through devolution.

“Devolution is going to dominate the next four years,” he said. “The transfer of power from the federal government has to make sense and that has to be culturally relevant to Inuit culture.”

Alikatuktuk enters the race with a 19-year background working as a heavy equipment operator and has been active as a volunteer in the community.

In an email to Nunatsiaq News, Alikatuktuk did not include specific campaign issues or platform points he wants to address.

“At this juncture, I am hesitant to make promises, given the government’s history of unfulfilled commitments,” he said, stating he aims to “foster a collaborative relationship” with his constituents.

“I am very eager to be a voice for the people I am representing, and I would like to emphasize the importance of working together for a stronger voice as a whole.”