NTI nominations close Friday for two vice-president seats

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will close nominations at 5 p.m. local time Friday for an election on Dec. 14 to fill two vice-president positions, the organization said in a notice posted Nov. 2.

Nominations opened at 9 a.m. Monday. Candidates must be at least 16 years old on Dec. 14 and be enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement or eligible to enrol, NTI said. Nomination papers must be filed with the chief returning officer by the deadline, or the person cannot run.

NTI also requires a criminal record check completed within the past three months, and it encouraged would-be candidates to start that process with the RCMP right away. Nomination forms are available from the chief returning officer, community liaison officers, Ayaya Marketing Communications and NTI’s website. The chief returning officer is Monica Ell-Kanayuk.

NTI is the organization responsible for making sure the promises in the Nunavut Agreement are met. Nunatsiaq News reported that the two-seat vote appears to be a change from the current structure, in which Paul Irngaut is the lone vice-president. The newspaper said that going back to 2010, NTI elected two vice-presidents, with one winner becoming chair of social development and the other chair of the organization’s wildlife advisory council. Nunatsiaq News said it asked NTI whether the two roles differ this year.

The territory’s three regional Inuit associations are voting the same day, according to Nunatsiaq News. The Kitikmeot Inuit Association is seeking a new president, and its nominations also close Friday. The Qikiqtani Inuit Association will elect a president and community directors for Iqaluit, Igloolik, Kimmirut, Sanirajak, Clyde River, Pond Inlet and Sanikiluaq, with nominations running Nov. 9 to 13. The Kivalliq Inuit Association is filling five board seats, including a vice-president, a secretary-treasurer and community directors for Naujaat, Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet. Its nomination period closes Nov. 9.

The vote comes weeks after NTI’s board approved a $40.8-million, five-year Inuit health plan. It also follows an auditor general’s report that found Nunavut’s foster care failings persist, issues that fall within the social development portfolio NTI vice-presidents have historically held.

The Canada News Media team has not independently confirmed which candidates have filed. Nominations close Friday, and the election is Dec. 14.

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