Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Dec 20/99) - In his first order of business as NTI president, Paul Quassa wants to re-direct the Inuit organization's energies to better deliver the benefits promised in the Land Claims Agreement he originally signed six years ago.

Quassa, who was elected president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. last Monday, defeated five other candidates, including incumbent Jose Kusugak. He took the majority of votes in the Baffin region and the major centres of Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.

The secret to his success, says Quassa, was owning up to past mistakes and listening to the people.

"I admit I made a mistake in '93, but I've overcome that problem and that's what the people wanted to hear," said Quassa, speaking about his past substance abuse problems.

"The elders I spoke to told me to admit my shortcomings and not to promise too much."

One campaign promise he did make, however, is to visit each and every community in Nunavut and ask the beneficiaries what they want from NTI.

"I want to consult the people to get a mandate from them and start the benefits flowing to the communities, that's what the land claim is all about," he said.

The unofficial results indicate that about 2,000 beneficiaries voted Quassa for president, beating runner-up Cathy Towtongie, who had 1615 votes. Kusugak came in third with 1405 votes.

It no surprise that Quassa won the faith of the people and the majority of votes.

Many people know him as the man who signed the Final Agreement in 1993 and before that, the one who was with Inuit Tapirisat Corporation when it presented its first land claim proposal to the federal government in 1976. He joined the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut in 1985 and became the chief negotiator in 1989, signing the Agreement in Principal one year later.

On May 25, 1993, he signed the Final Agreement as president of NTI. And it's a combination of his long history and familiarity with the land claim that has instilled faith in the people.

"Hooray for the leader," said Micah Arreak as soon as she noticed Quassa was leading the polls posted at Iqaluit's Cadet Hall.

"I'm excited to have leadership back on Baffin Island. Paul has more than 20 years experience and the experience of the people.

"He made a mistake but everybody makes mistakes, the people have forgiven him for one mistake in 20 years."

Similar thoughts were echoed in the Kitikmeot by Kugluktuk Mayor Joanne Taptuna.

"It's good that Quassa is back with NTI. People change and he's done a lot of turning around," said Taptuna.

"When he was on before he did a lot to benefit the communities. I hope he travels to inform the people of Nunavut about what is happening."

An estimated 70 per cent of eligible voters went to the polls last week and chief returning officer John Ningark said he's happy with how the election transpired.

"I think everyone is pleased with how election night went," he said.

"Sometimes communication is difficult when there's 1,000 miles between communities, but results started rolling in at about 8 p.m. and we had every polling station in just after midnight."

The official results of this election will be announced from Cambridge Bay once they have been tabulated.