IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Delegates chose Natan Obed as the new Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) president Sept. 17 at the close of the national Inuit organization's annual general meeting.

Justice of the Peace Josephine Tucktoo swears in newly-elected Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed. - Navalik Tologanak/NNSL photo

Obed won with 54 per cent of the votes. To be elected, a candidate must receive a majority vote of the organization's member representatives, their delegates and the organization's vice-president.

"I would to congratulate Natan and I look forward to working with him. As the new president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, he has the full support of the board of directors. I would also like to thank Terry Audla for his service to Inuit over the past three years," said ITK vice-president Duane Smith, who presided over the election.

Jerry Komatsiutiksak also ran in the three-way election.

Obed resigned his position at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) and president Cathy Towtongie offered her congratulations.

"I have worked with Natan for the last several years in his role as director of NTI's Department of Social and Cultural Development. He cares deeply about Inuit and will use his compassion and strong leadership abilities to guide Canada's national Inuit organization. I look forward to continuing a positive working relationship with Natan," stated Towtongie in a news release from NTI.

According to a news release, aside from his work with NTI, Obed has held senior roles within the Labrador Inuit Association and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

At the regional level, he has served as a board member and acting president of the Nunavut's Embrace Life Council, and as a trustee for the Nunatsiavut Government Labrador Inuit Capital Strategy Trust.

He has been chair of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami's National Inuit Committee on Health and a member of the organization's National Committee on Inuit Education.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.