We asked, they answered.

The four candidates vying to be president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) have submitted their responses about their background, motivation and specific positions on some of the most pressing issues for Nunavut Inuit.

The election is scheduled for Dec. 9.

What it is about your personal and professional background that makes you well suited for the role?

In the last four years, I was the community director for Arctic Bay, and [for two] of those [four] years, I was the secretary treasurer of QIA [Qikiqtani Inuit Association]. I was the portfolio lead for the marine/wildlife department, and also the Kakivak Association board of directors chairperson. Before that, I was [on] the hamlet council [for] Arctic Bay, and during the day was the constituency assistant of the Quttiktuq MLA.

What motivated you to run?

The motivation I have to run for the president of NTI [is] to bring NTI closer to Inuit, and [to ensure] financial benefits [go to] the beneficiaries through working with the RIAs [regional Inuit associations] and the Government of Nunavut (GN). I believe having a good working relationship between the GN and RIAs is the key to helping Inuit through education, cultural awareness, poverty reduction, the housing crisis and homelessness. 

Do you agree with NTI's lawsuit against the GN over improved access to Inuktut education in kindergarten through Grade 12?

I believe we need to limit the lawsuits between the Government of Nunavut and NTI, and actually start working with each other instead of fighting through the court system. [The] dragging [of] lawsuits [does] not benefit [any of us], and especially the beneficiaries of NTI. I believe we need to preserve and use all the official languages of Nunavut.  

What actions do you think NTI should take in addressing Nunavut's housing crisis?

Since the creation of Nunavut 3000, NTI has done a phenomenal job creating the Nunavut Housing Action Plan, but we need to move [more quickly] in building houses for our communities. We [need to] not only build houses, but [to] employ and train/educate, improving the lives of Inuit.

How can NTI improve the health status of beneficiaries?

Improving health is something I've always [brought] to the table. We need to lessen food poverty and [increase] country food distribution by creating programs for hunters [on] the front line of each community [to provide them with] healthy food within our communities. [By living healthily] and improving the health system by working closely with the Government of Nunavut Department of Health, we need to make sure that Inuit get proper health services.

Does Nunavut need more mines or fewer mines than it has now?

We need mines in Nunavut to help develop our natural resources. But, with mineral extraction and development of our hunting grounds, we [are] changing [animal routes]. We really need [to minimize] impacts to our hunters and be sure impact benefit agreements are in place to help our food providers to benefit from the development of mines. To minimize impact to our wildlife, I believe we need to have stable, continuous relationships with the mining industry.