Natasha Kulikowski is InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 new mayor.

With 563 total votes, Kulikowski is InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 first female mayor since 1982, and one of four of the Northwest Territories' newly elected female mayors.

Vince Sharpe was the other mayoral candidate. He recieved a total of 176 votes.

A total of 739 votes were cast in InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 mayoral election.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 super excited and I canSA国际影视传媒檛 wait to serve the people of Inuvik!SA国际影视传媒� said Kulikowski. SA国际影视传媒淭he last time we had a female mayor was the year that I was born, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 time. The trend across the NWT so far seems to be that weSA国际影视传媒檙e putting females in this position, so I think thatSA国际影视传媒檚 really exciting for the whole territory.SA国际影视传媒�

Kulikowski, who has been a town councillor for three and a half years, said she received the news from her scrutineers and the townSA国际影视传媒檚 senior Administrative Officer around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 15.

She said she also received a congratulatory phone call from her opponent, Vince Sharpe.

Kulikowski has been living, working and volunteering in Inuvik for 17 years. In an earlier interview with the Inuvik Drum, she said she realized seven years ago that she wanted to see some changes in the community, so she got involved with town council to make it happen.

Although she ran for a councillor position that year, she lost by just two votes.

SA国际影视传媒淚 continued to volunteer after that, and then decided to run for a councillor spot in the next election, which I won,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 knew at some point I wanted to be mayor as well, be the face of town and be out there representing Inuvik, so this is my opportunity to do that.SA国际影视传媒�

Now that she's the new face of Inuvik, her first order of business as mayor will be keeping lines of communication open.

SA国际影视传媒淔irst, I want to properly meet the new council. It will be good to get to know them and see how weSA国际影视传媒檙e all going to work together,SA国际影视传媒� said Kulikowski. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 excited to speak with the Inuvialuit and the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n and see how we can support them, as well as all the other groups the town is involved with. I want to keep the communication lines that have already been established with open.SA国际影视传媒�

Kulikowski said she hopes to continue the work the current administration and council have done to find a secure source of energy, and will also prioritize issues such as the economy and the cost of living.

Kulikowski said she is appreciative of everyone who voted and helped out with her campaign.

SA国际影视传媒淚 greatly appreciate everyone who got out and voted. ISA国际影视传媒檝e had so much support this whole time from people who have offered to help with the campaign, who wore buttons and who put signs in their yards,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淎ll the help that ISA国际影视传媒檝e had to get me here has been excellent and I thank Inuvik for that.SA国际影视传媒�