Two communities without mayors after Nunavik election

Nunavik’s 14 communities have many new leaders, including new mayors, following regional municipal elections on Nov. 2.

The four largest communities in Nunavik — Kuujjuaq, Salluit, Puvirnituq and Inukjuak — all elected new mayors.

In Kuujjuaq, Nunavik’s administrative hub, Larry Watt won 60 per cent of the vote, defeating Kitty Pearson, who received 23 per cent, and Tikile Kleist at 18 per cent.

Qalingo Angutigirk, a former mayor of Salluit, was returned to the top municipal job in that community, winning over George Kayakuk, who received 32 per cent of the vote, and the incumbent, Michael Cameron, who won only 28 per cent.

In Puvirnituq, Levi Amarualik is the new mayor. Amarualik won 33 per cent of the vote, defeating the incumbent, Ali Novalinga, as well as James Novalinga, Thamussie Sivuarapik and former mayor Paulusi Novalinga.

Johnny Naktialuk won the mayor’s job in Inukjuak, defeating incumbent Andy Moorhouse by 17 votes. Former mayor Siasi Smiler Irqumia, Charlie Nowkawalk and Danie Nuluktie also ran for mayor.

The mayor and council in Ivujivik were chosen by acclamation.

But Tasiujaq and Aupaluk may have to wait until today to know who will lead their communities. That’s because there were no nominations for the position of mayor before the Oct. 26 nomination deadline. A new deadline for nominations was set for Nov. 4, and if more than one nomination is received, elections are to be held Nov. 11.

Two women were elected as mayors. In Kangiqsujuaq, Mary A. Pilurtuut received 56 per cent of the vote, with 144 votes, and in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kitty Annanack received 90 votes, or 35 of the total ballots cast, winning by four votes over Peter Morgan.

This is the first time in many years that municipal government in Nunavik does not include Johnny Adams. Adams, a longtime mayor of Kuujjuaq, has served as a town councillor and chairman of the Kativik Regional Government since 1998, but did not run for any municipal office this year.

Each community will now select one of its municipal officials to serve as a regional councillor. From among these regional councillors, a new KRG leader and executive will be selected at the next regional council meeting later this month in Kuujjuaq.

The new municipal officials in Nunavik are, as follows:

Kangiqsualujjuaq: Kitty Annanack, mayor, and councillors, elected by acclamation, Maggie Annanack, Johnny Sam Annanack, Christina Baron, Maggie Emudluk, Willie Emudluk, and Lucas A. Etok;

Kuujjuaq: Larry Watt, mayor, and councillors Jason Berthe, Claude Gadbois, Michael Gordon, Paul Parsons, Maggie J. Saunders, and Sara Tagoona;

Tasiujaq: councillors, Jeannie C. Saunders, Annie M. Kauki, Sandy Berthe, Moses Munick, Rhoda Kritik, and Martha Berthe;

Aupaluk: councillors, elected by acclamation, Jimmy Ningiuruvik, Mary Saluarsiak, Mark Oninak, and Minnie Akpahatak Lucassie;

Kangirsuk: Joseph Annahatak, re-elected as mayor, and councillors Annie S. Etok, Elijah Grey, Jeannie Nungak, Zebedee Nungak, David Pinguapik, and David Pootoogee;

Quaqtaq: Johnny Oovaut, re-elected as mayor, and councillors Tommy Arnatuk, Pallaya Ezekiel, Willie Jarause, Bobby Nakoolak, Mary Nuvuka, and Charlie Okpik;

Kangiqsujuaq: Mary A. Pilurtuut, mayor, and councillors Christina K. Alaku, Charlie Arngak, Mark Tertiluk, Willie Alaku, Jaani Illasuk Arnaituk, and Maggie J. Qisiiq;

Salluit: Qalingo Angutigirk, mayor, and councillors Annie Amaamatuak, Ealla Kaittaq, Adamie Papigatuk, Johnny K. Papigatuk, Elasjuk Pauyngie, and Charlie Pinguartuq;

Ivujivik: Adamie Kalingo, mayor, elected by acclamation, and councillors Johnny Mangiuk, Peter Iyaituk, and Uniurtitak Ainalik;

Akulivik: Eli Allaluk, re-elected as mayor, and councillors Louisa Qaautuk, Lucasi Alayco, Peter Matte, Jusipi Qaqutuk, Adamie Alayco, and Daniellie Qinuajuak;

Puvirnituq: Levi Amarualik, mayor, and councillors Simon Novalinga, Elisapie Uitangak, Martha Amarualik, Muncy Novalinga, Aisara Kenuajuak, and Isaac Aupaluk;

Inukjuak: Johnny Naktialuk, mayor, and councillors Simeonie Elijassiapik, Johnny Epoo, Petah Inukpuk, Alacie Nalukturuk, Joseph Nalukturuk, and Sarollie Weetaluktuk;

Umiujaq: Davidee Sappa, mayor, and councillors Paulussie Cookie, Isaac Tumic, Davidee Niviaxie, Joshua Sala Sr., Joshua Sala Jr., and Willie Kumarluk;

Kuujjuaraapik: Lucassie Inukpuk, re-elected as mayor, and councillors Willie Tooktoo, Mary Roussel, Lizzie Niviaxie, Lydia Esperon, Alec Napartuk, and Mary Hannah Angotookalook.