Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 01/02) - Charlie Evalik has won a third term as president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, winning over half the votes in last week's election.

Evalik attracted 56 per cent of the March 25 vote, beating out Joseph Aglukark, Dennis Kaosoni and Larry Aknavigak.

"Hopefully I am doing a pretty good job for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association," said Evalik, 50.

Evalik said the DEW Line clean-up is on the top of the list. He wants to get the community beneficiary committees implemented in the Kitikmeot community. He is also keen on courting development in the region beginning with the Hope Bay joint venture for gold mining and push the Bathurst Inlet road and port project further.

Evalik said these issues, along with providing more training for the community, drove him to run again.

"There was some outstanding issues that I was working on," said Evalik.

Evalik, who is married and has four boys, has been involved with the association for a decade. He became involved in Inuit politics because he wanted to make a difference in his region. "I wanted to see benefits coming to the Kitikmeot," said Evalik.

In 10 years most Kitikmeot youth will have an education and the coming road and port will create a business and employment boom in the region, said Evalik.

The Cambridge Bay resident doesn't know if he will run again after this three-year term is up because he is focused on what he has to do now. "I will try to deliver for the benefit of the Kitikmeot," said Evalik.