Nunavummiut across the territory, except in Iqaluit, will soon go to the polls to choose political leaders at the local level.

Hamlet elections are scheduled for Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, depending on the community.
Additions to council have been decided by acclamation in Arctic Bay, Kimmirut and Naujaat. In other communities, there has been an abundance of interest, such as seven candidates for mayor in Clyde River and Hall Beach, 15 contenders vying for council in Whale Cove, 12 for council in Rankin Inlet and 11 council hopefuls in Cape Dorset.
Reena Irqittuq, who served eight years on council in Hall Beach, is not seeking re-election for personal reasons. Asked for advice for new councillors, she said it's important to have an open relationship with the community and to make sure there's always clear communication. Little misunderstandings can lead to much bigger problems, she said, so tracking down all information available is wise.
"It was awesome. There were challenges, but I loved it. I enjoyed every bit of it," Irqittuq said of her time as a councillor.
In Cambridge Bay, a new mayor will be needed to replace Jeannie Ehaloak, who served in that capacity for six years. Ehaloak said the job could be rocky during debates, "but it always works out in the end."
She ran for a second term as mayor because of her "passion for the people, and especially our elders and youth SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½“ to make our community a healthy and safe place to live," she said.
Ehaloak, who won the Cambridge Bay riding in the October territorial election and has since been named Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Qulliq Energy Corporation, said she's pleased to see there's ample interest in next week's municipal elections.

Here are the candidates:

BAFFIN

Arctic Bay

Mayor
Geela Arnayumayuq
Phillip Attagutaluk
Frank May
Joilie Qaunaq
Tommy Tataoapik

Council (acclaimed)
Frank May
Leonie Eecheak
Sakiasie Qaunaq
Susanna Barnabas

Cape Dorset

Mayor
Mathew Saveakjuk Jaw
Tikitoq Kingwatsiak
Timoon Toonoo
Padlaya Qiatsuq (I)

Council (4)
Atsiaq Alasuaq
Oqituq Ashoona
Zeke Ejesiak
Tikitoq Kingwatsiak
Mary Laisa
Jimmy Manning
Chris Pudlat
Kouyuk Pudlat
Padlaya Qiatsuq
Arningmuiq Samayualie
Simigak Suviga

Clyde River

Mayor
Alan Cormack
Joanasie Illauq
Clark Kalluk
Sandy Kautuq
Laimikee Palluq
Bobby Panipak
James Qillaq

Council (4)
Apiusie Apak
Suzanne Arreak
Raygee Atsiqtaq
Laimikee Palluq
Poasie Palluq
Alex Paneak
Joavie Paneak

Grise Fiord

Council
Inger-Lise Christensen
Raymond Kaslak
Eva Muckpa
Lucy Nungaq

Hall Beach

Mayor
Audlakiak Jaypetee
Elijah Kaernerk
Jason Kaernerk
Amie Kipsignak
Robert Morgan
Cain Pikuyak
Levi Qaunaq

Council (4)
Daniel Arvaluk
Roger Beaudry
Jason Ikeperiar
Nagleena Innuksuk
David Irqittuq
Stacey Kadlutsiak
Paul Nagmalik
Peter Siakuluk

Iglulik

Council (4)
Dominic Angutimarik
David Aqqiaruq
Peter Ivalu
Lionel Evaloarjuk
Matt Teed
Erasmus Ivvalu
Mark Airut

Kimmirut

Mayor
Ningeolaa Killiktee
Koochiajuk Kolola

Council (acclaimed)
Michael Matto Moonie
Lyta Maliktoo
Judea Akulujuk

Pangnirtung
Mayor
Stevie Komoartok
Jeanne Mike
Council
Leopa Akpalialuk
Larry Dialla
Billy Etooangat
Jaco Ishulutak
Geeold Kakee
David Kooneeliusie
Johnnylee Nakashook
Mosesee Qappik
Markus Wilcke

Resolute
Mayor
Saroomie Manik
Joyce Laprise
Wayne Davidson
Council (4)
Aziz Kheraj
Philip Chubb
Murray Balsom
Martha Idlout
Lori Nungaq
Tabitha Mullin
Zipporah Kalluk

Sanikiluaq
Mayor
Moses Appaqaq
Joe Arragutainaq
Johnny Inuktaluk
Eli Kavik
Council:
Moses Appaqaq
Joe Arragutainaq
Veronica Emikotailuk
Mina Eyaituk
Johnny Inuktaluk
Emily Kattuk
Eli Kavik
Sarah N. Meeko
Lucy Uppik

KIVALLIQ

Arviat
Council
Elizabeth Irkok
George Ishalook
Tommy Owlijoot
Tony Phinney
Joe Saviktaaq Jr.
Kono Tattuinee
William Tiktaq

Baker Lake
Mayor
Shawn Attungala
Lena Tapatai (I)
Council (6)
Sarah Anirniq
Thomas Anirniq
Paula Hughson
Kevin Iksiktaaryuk
Barb Kabloona
David Simailak
Frank Tootoo
Norman Ukpaga
Karen Yip

Chesterfield Inlet
Council (4)
Solomon Autut
Jimmy Krako
Leonie Mimialik
Angeline Simik
Trevor Thompson

Coral Harbour
Mayor
Noah Kadlak
Willie Nakoolak
Councillor (6)
Danny Pee
Jordon Emiktowt
Tono Susan Nakoolak
Louie Bruce
Roxanne Eetuk
Tina Eetuk
Solomon Nakoolak
Moses Nakoolak
Kidlapik Nakoolak
Noah Kadlak
Willie Nakoolak

Naujaat
Mayor
Solomon Malliki
Steve Kopak
Romeo Kopak
Steve Mapsalak
Hugh Haqpi
Council (acclaimed)
Donat Milortok
Peter Mannik
Joseph Mapsalak
Joseph Sivernatok

Rankin Inlet
Council
Chad Graham
Martha Hickes
Srnaujuq Kowmuk
Kelly Lindell
Jim MacDonald
Rosie Oolooyuk
Lynn Rudd
Barbara Tartak
Noah Tiktak
Harry Towtongie
Tommy Tudlik
Theresie Tungilik

Whale Cove
Council (6)
Lavenia Angutituar
Sarah Igviksaq
Tommy Igviksaq
Elizabeth Kabloona
Ryan Kolit
Mary-Jones Kriterdluk
Roy Kriterdluk
David Kritterdlik
Gerard Maktar
Jackie Napayok
Anna Okalik
Mike Sr. Panika
Terri-Rose Teenar
Glenda Ulurksit
Eva Voisey

KITIKMEOT

Cambridge Bay
Mayor
Bob Aknavigak
Garry Beattie
Wayne Gregory
Pamela Gross
Joe Ohokannoak
Council (4)
Josh Doyle
Angela Gerbrandt
Sandi Gillis
Jenna Kamingoak
Susie Kemukton
Aaron Pedersen
Stuart Rostant
Charles Zikalala

Gjoa Haven
Council (4)
Joseph Akoak
Greg Nahaglulik
Christian Porter
Kaitlin Porter
Ralph Porter Sr.
Uriash Puqiqnak
Salomie Qitsualik
David Siksik
Jennifer Ullulaq

Kugaaruk
Mayor
Stephan Inaksajak (I)
Canute Krejunark
Adam Krejunark
Makabe Nartok
Council (5)
Guido Tigvareark
Jesse Apsaktaun
Ovide Alakannuark
Leona Krejunark
Catherine Qirngnuq
Teddy Apsaktaun
Joshua Kringorn
Jamie Ihakkaq

Kugluktuk
Mayor
Miranda Atatahak
Phillip Evaglok
Valerie Miyok
Ryan Nivingalok (I)
Council (4)
Larry Adjun
Sammy Angnaluak
Monica Angohiatok
Miranda Atatahak
Randy Hinanik
Wynter Kuliktana
Nadene McMenemy
Valerie Miyok
Danny Zita

Taloyoak
Council (4)
Tommy Aiyout
Michael Aleekee
Lonnie Alookee
Louise Aqqaq
Joanne Lori Kailek
Peter Kiahingnaq
John Charles Pizzo Lyall
Kristine Lyall