Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 22/99) - Organizations around the territory offered their congratulations to the 19 MLAs who won seats during last Monday's election.

Acting interim commissioner Joe Kunuk said his office was in the process of preparing for their arrival and plans for orientation sessions set to begin on March 1 are under way.

"The quality and large number of candidates who chose to run in the first Nunavut assembly has been truly impressive," said Kunuk in a press release issued by his office.

"My congratulations to all candidates who participated in this historic first election."

Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Pauloosie Keeyootak said he was impressed with the wide range of interests that will be represented by the MLAs.

"QIA is looking forward to a relationship with the new government that is based on co-operation and consultation."

Jose Kusugak, the president of Nunavut Tunngavik, threw his blessings into the ring and said he hoped candidates would learn from the election.

An incredible 88 per cent of Nunavut's eligible electorate headed to the polls and the returning officers are now in the process of reconciling the ballots and declaring the candidates the official winners. A judicial recount has been ordered for the riding of Kugluktuk because Donald Havioyak beat out Ida Ayalik-McWilliam by less than two per cent.

For further election coverage, see this edition of News/North.

Nunavut mining symposium

Mining delegates from across Canada gathered in Iqaluit last week for the annual mining symposium.

The three-day conference saw a number of issues brought to the table, including the development of mineral and human resources in the territory and an update on what Nunavut has to offer to mining companies.

Nunavut trade show

Following the mining symposium, the Nunavut Trade Show kicked into gear at the Inuksuk high school in Iqaluit.

Northern delegates attended business functions and an awards banquet for business person of the year.

Pages chosen

Acting interim commissioner Joe Kunuk announced the names of the 22 students who will serve as pages in the Nunavut legislative assembly.

A total of 90 candidates put their names forward to the committee that was headed up by legislative clerk John Quirke.

The pages represent all 19 electoral districts and are all currently enrolled in high school.

Their first duty as pages will be to escort the new MLAs into the legislative assembly on April 1.

The names of the first pages follow: Tommy Akulujuk, Pangnirtung; Qujjuk Amagoalik, Iqaluit; Lorna Arnatsiaq, Igloolik; Edward Arreak, Iqaluit; Krista Elgok, Kugluktuk; Kipanik Eegeesiak, Iqaluit; Kenny Kautainuk, Pond Inlet; Genevieve Killulark, Baker Lake; Fauna Kingdon, Iqaluit; Gloria Kowtak, Rankin Inlet; Teevi Mackay, Iqaluit; Solomon Malliki, Repulse Bay; Johnny Mickiyuk, Sanikiluaq; Rachel Misheralak, Whale Cove; Eric Okatsiak, Arviat; Jayne Omilgoitok, Cambridge Bay; Nina Palituq, Clyde River; Stacy Paniyuk, Coral Harbour; Jonathan Puqiqnak, Gjoa Haven; Jenny Soucie, Iqaluit; Etidloie Toonoo, Cape Dorset and Jesse Tungilik, Arctic Bay

Nunavut policing

C/Supt. Chris Bothe, the commanding officer of Nunavut's police force, hosted a community RCMP advisory meeting in Iqaluit last week.

Organized as a method of seeking direction from a wide variety of people on policing issues, the three-day conference saw representatives from the Department of Justice, Social Services, the RCMP and other community agencies come to the table to discuss relevant issues.

Of particular interest to the delegates were issues of restorative justice, community justice, the RCMP's role in Nunavut and recruiting methods for Nunavut.

Along with representatives from the hamlets across Nunavut, the RCMP commissioner, Phillip Murray, attended the conference.