What’s at stake in this week’s Makivvik vote
Ahead of the Feb. 1 presidential election, see who is running and learn more about how the corporation works
Harry Tulugak, left, Suzy Kauki and Pita Aatami are running for president of Makivvik Corp. (Suzy Kauki photo courtesy of Suzy Kauki/File photos of Harry Tulugak and Pita Aatami)
Three candidates — Harry Tulugak and Suzy Kauki and incumbent Pita Aatami — are set to face off Thursday in Makivvik Corp.’s presidential election.
Here’s how the results from the vote will impact the people of Nunavik.
How Makivvik works
Makivvik Corp. is the body that works to uphold the constitutional rights and represent the interests of Inuit in Nunavik. It was established in 1978 through the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Makivvik’s five-member executive, including its president, works with a board of directors comprised of one representative from each of the 14 Nunavik communities.
They have a mandate to relieve poverty, promote the welfare of residents and Inuit way of life, improve communities and housing, and generate social and economic development.
Makivvik as a business corporation
Makivvik has numerous investments. According to its 2021-22 annual report, the most prominent are with:
- Air Inuit and Canadian North, which serve communities across the Arctic;
- NEAS, or Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping, a maritime transportation company that stops in 45 communities across the North carrying supplies;
- Unaaq Fisheries, as well as fisheries companies in Europe, Japan, America and Asia.
Makivvik also holds stakes in Pan-Arctic Inuit Logistics and Nasittuq Corp., both of which are used to help privately owned companies in Inuit regions win provincial and federal government contracts and create jobs in the North.
As well, it has interests in Halutik Enterprises and Kautaq Construction. Both work in Nunavik, the first taking care of diesel distribution in Kuujjuaq and the other handling construction projects across the region.
In its 2021-22 annual report, Makivvik treasurer George Berthe reported that the beneficiaries’ equity stake in the corporation was $582 million.
Past elections for president
In the 2021 Makivvik presidential election, Nunavimmiut cast 3,532 votes from among 8,626 eligible voters for a turnout of 41 per cent.
The 2018 election saw close to a 47 per cent turnout while the turnout in 2015 was 48 per cent.
Pita Aatami was Makivvik president from 1998 until 2012 when he was defeated by Jobie Tukkiapik, who held the position until 2018.
Charlie Watt Sr. was president from 2018 until 2021, when Aatami was elected and returned to office.
How voting works
An Inuit beneficiary number is required to vote, which can be used in the online voting system. In-person voting is also available in every community.
Polling opens Thursday at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m.
This oatmeal is too hot
This oatmeal is too cold
This oatmeal is just right
Eaten by a hungry family of bears anyway✅
An Absolute Boss, the Autocrat, and hopeful Young Lady, looks interesting. I would put all my eggs in the basket of the hopeful…
Go Suzy Go!
I checked , the makivik site , as to , how to vote online , just tell , i need my beneifeciery number, can t find the link , can some one refer me to the proper site.
Communication is not one of Nunavik’s strengths. If you were to observe, you’ll see what that means. It’s the same in also every daily activity. Confusing and lack, big time, of connection of the dots. Even an outdoor activity announcement, doesn’t say when, where, and other needed info to participate. Makivik mostly works like that too.
YOU CAN CALL the MAKIVVIK office AT 1-800-361-7052 AND ASK FOR HELP WITH FINDING LOST BENEFICIARY NUMBERS,
I know , my beneficiary number , trying to find out , how i vote online, not in person.
ONE THING NEEDED IS A SOLID WEB CONNECTION, WITHOUT IT THE PROCESS GETS BOGGED DOWN, ONLY ON A 2ND ATTEMPT AT REGISTRATION/VOTING DID IT WORK WITH MOI.