Two-person race for Nunavut Tunngavik presidency
Andrew Nakashuk of Pangnirtug will challenge incumbent Aluki Kotierk
Incumbent Aluki Kotierk and Andrew Nakashuk of Pangnirtung will contest the presidency of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. this year. (File photo)
Aluki Kotierk, the current president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., will face only one challenger in the Inuit organization’s Nunavut-wide election on Dec. 14: Andrew Nakashuk of Pangnirtung, the organization’s website says.
Nakashuk, has served as a member of the Nunavut Planning Commission since 2013 and as its chair since 2016. He also sits as vice-chairman on the board of the Qulliq Energy Corp.
Kotierk won NTI’s presidency on Dec. 13, 2016, when she took 32.1 per cent of ballots cast, slightly less than one-third of the total, to defeat incumbent Cathie Towtongie and four other candidates. Only 31.9 per cent of eligible Nunavut Inuit voters cast ballots that year.
This may be the fewest candidates to ever run in an NTI presidential election. For example, in 2010, 11 candidates ran for the job.
Until the end of the day on Monday, Nov. 16, Kotierk and Nakashuk are deemed unofficial candidates. They may withdraw their nomination papers until 5 p.m. today.
To be eligible to cast ballots, voters must be 16 years of age or older as of Dec. 14 and be enrolled in the Nunavut Agreement.
NTI says an advance poll will be held on Dec. 7 and that voters may also cast ballots by mobile poll, proxy vote or mail-in ballot.
The organization also says that NTI has contingency plans for COVID-19, and it will follow guidelines issued by the Nunavut chief public health officer but gave no details on how that will work.
Good luck, Andrew! We need a change
NTI is definitely going through an identity crisis. They need to do a better job of listening to both young and old, not just one or the other. Cathy Towtongie was out of touch with youth and Aluki Kotierk’s team seem to only care about issues that matter to more well-to-do Inuit (who are perfectly capable of voicing and lobbying these issues using their own tools).
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I don’t know Andrew Nakashuk well enough, but if he can connect with regular Inuit, young and old, he’ll win in a landslide.
NTI has always advocated for Inuit rights. Nothing new here.
It seems the current governance has been good at making a bit of noise and rukus, beyond that it is hard to see if any tangible results have been made. I’m interested to hear what Andrew Nakasuk has to offer anyway.
We finally had a person speak for all of us as no one had really done it for a long while. Never heard the challenger so he needs to learn to get things done before trying for high office. Inuktitut has been placed on the agenda and we appreciate it. Aluki has our houses vote.
I appreciate the new elders financial support for my elderly parents. She made investments in Inuktitut and advocated for Inuit employment in government. Aluki has my vote.
far as i know kivalliq might as will be far as moon as far a baffin politicians are concerned. we r forgotten region compare to baffin and southern travels. how is kitikmeot faring under the current regime. andrew if u r elected, make sure communities nearest to the mines receive most $$$ benefits.
Definitely voting for Andrew. I can’t think of a better person to hold the position of NTI. We need someone who is a true leader. Listens more than he speaks and when he does speak, he speaks from his heart and his head.