Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 09/98) - Pita Atami will be Makivik Corp.'s new president. "I'm looking forward to being president," said Atami.

The results of the election were announced on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Makivik Corp. focuses on economic development, and as president, Atami plans to face many economic issues.

"Trying to create jobs" ( in the Nunavik region) will be my main focus," he said.

Atami is considering the possibility of starting a clothing manufacturing factory in the North in order to generate employment.

He thinks that selling "Inuit-made" products would go over well in the Canadian marketplace.

Atami is also considering starting a food manufacturing business in the North to generate jobs.

"These (ideas) are to be seen in the next year or so," said Atami.

Atami also thinks that it is unfair that those people living in the North pay such high taxes. He wants to see if he can get some of the "hidden taxes", such as transportation fees, reduced, if not removed.

He would also like to see tax breaks for native fishermen and hunters, such as farmers receive in other parts of the country.

Atami was the treasurer of Makivik Corp. from March of 1993 to October 1998.

He intends on changing the working environment at Makivik Corp. slightly. He said he wants the corporation to work as a team.

"It's team work that makes it happen," said Atami.

His term of presidency will last until March 2000.

Atami won the election by 16 votes. Shutting out second place candidate Charlie Watt. Overall, Atami received 971 votes.

Of the 4,667 eligible voters, 60.7 per cent voted.

The polls were open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Nunavik. A travelling poll also made its way across the Montreal area to organizations where Inuit study, work and obtain services.

Makivik is an Inuit owned economic development company. It was created in 1975 following the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.

Makivik owns several subsidiary companies such as, Air Inuit, Seaku Fisheries and First Air.