Treasurer returns, VP acclaimed again in Makivvik elections
Voter turnout varied widely across different communities in Thursday’s elections
Adamie Delisle Alaku, left, was acclaimed as Makivvik’s vice-president for environment, wildlife and research while George Berthe was re-elected as treasurer Thursday. The two are shown here in a file photo from 2023. (File photo courtesy of Makivvik Corp.)
George Berthe has been re-elected as treasurer of Makivvik Corp., and in a separate race Adamie Delisle Alaku was acclaimed for the fifth time in a row to the position of vice-president for environment, wildlife and research.
Makivvik, which is the legal representative of Inuit in Nunavik, reported the results from all 16 polling stations after Thursday’s vote, confirming Berthe has secured a third consecutive three-year term as treasurer.
Berthe got 1,136 votes, finishing ahead of Jason Annahatak, who received 1,007; Andy Pirti who finished with 907; and Jonathan Epoo who got 377 votes. Thirteen ballots were spoiled, according to results posted on Makivvik’s website.
Berthe was first elected treasurer in 2020, then again in 2023.
For Alaku, this will be his fifth term in the vice-president role and he was acclaimed each time, starting in 2014.
Voter turnout varied widely between communities. In Tasiujaq, Aupaluk and Kangiqsujuaq, it was above 50 per cent, while it fell below 20 per cent in Chisasibi, Salluit and Puvirnituq.
During Berthe’s campaign, he focused on economic infrastructure, improving public safety and expanding access to financial and communication services.
He proposed building a clear business case for improved cellular service in Nunavik and looking into why there has been only limited investment from providers.
Berthe said he met with the senior vice-presidents of major banks CIBC, BMO Bank of Montreal, and Desjardins to discuss ways to improve banking services in Nunavik.
Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.
Acclamation quote of 5 terms ✅
The most popular elected should at least carry educational credentials at the university level ✅
Beneficiaries without language fluency require more participation rights and avoid the Quebec Bill 96 laws. ✅
Ahh.
*Quota
eskimo joe: Guglielmo Giovanni Maria Marconi, 1st Marquess united us 🤝
“The Only Thing More Powerful than Hate is Love” BB🐰
probably a little fraction of high school. its not what you know in life but who you know at air Inuit and makivik. Inuit who do not speak the Inuktitut dialect due to the Residential School cannot have their names placed on the voters ballot because they cannot speak Inuktitut. I guess this mean I for me but not for you.
Hello Mr. M… I mean Eskimo Joe.
What is up with the lateral violence? Why not have a constructive conversation face to face, instead of trolling Inuit that are working hard for the region? I feel sad for those who just troll the web and make unconstructive comments. There are a lot of fools everywhere with university degrees too. I wonder if you look at the elders around you that have zero formal education and think so negatively about them too – some of them actually saved us without these degrees. Just saying – peace be with you. You sure need it.
Eskimo Jane must have never been treated negatively for not having Inuktitut fluency. Were as myself and others non-speakiespeak are treated like third rate citizens. Even the people that rotate in the region every two weeks get more respect. If you make a consensus you would learn that racism is spawned by the fact that if you don’t speak Inuktitut. Would you think differently of our female pilot who has made it onto a Canadian stamp knowing she has no fluency in Inuktitut?
I too have a hard time with Inuktitut today… I wish there are Inuktitut courses in the region that can help Inuit who need to relearn their language. I too have been treated badly over it in school and with family. But I grew up… and do my best to treat people with respect. I respect those who are fluent in Inuktitut, who are bilingual, unilingual and trilingual. I wish I was perfectly bilingual or even trilingual but I have a hard time with it. I feel for you in that regard… where you and I differ is knowing that an executive position should be able to speak the first language of this region and have the ability and openness to connect with our Inuktitut only speaking population; especially the elders as they are the key to our culture. I really have a hard time to think that can be a genuine connection through a translator. Your comments always comes with a notion of resentment and it comes off as cyber bullying. It’s tiring. All the best to you and I hope you are able to heal from the trauma you have faced as being rejected by those who do not empathize with your situation, because there are good Inuit leaders who do empathize with it… you can see it if you open your mind and heart.
What’s stopping you from learning it instead of wasting your time and just talking bad about others?