Neils Christensen
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 17/04) - Nunavummiut spoke with a resounding voice Monday, as more than 10,000 voters made their way to polling stations across the territory.

Arctic Bay mayor Niore Iqalukjuak said there are many issues that the new government must address in the next five years.

"Each community has a long wish list. That was apparent from the candidates' campaigns," he said.

Iqalukjuak suggested the top priority for the government should be to develop infrastructure for all the communities.

"There are a lot of infrastructure needs in Nunavut," he said.

Using Arctic Bay as an example, Iqalukjuak said it lacks a community hall, the sewage lagoon needs work and there are no hotel services in the community.

Iglulik mayor Elijah Evaloarjuk, added that the next priority on the list is creating more housing.

"The government is going to have to lobby the feds for a lot more money for housing,"

Along with housing, Evaloarjuk said the government is going to be in a tough position financially.

"There is so much work that needs to be done," he said. "They are going to have to find new ways to raise more money."

Coming in March there will be a mixture of new and familiar faces in the legislature.

The election isn't quite finished. There will be a recount in the Tunnuniq riding between Jobie Nutarak and David Qamaniq. Nutarak won the election by only four votes.

The second Nunavut legislature is a mixture of familiar politicians and fresh faces. Eight incumbents will return to their seat in the government.

They are: Peter Kattuk, from Hudson Bay; Hunter Tootoo, Iqaluit Centre; Ed Picco, Iqaluit East; Paul Okalik, Iqaluit West; Patterk Netser, Nanulik; Peter Kilabuk, Pangnirtung; Olayuk Akesuk, South Baffin and Jobie Nutarak Tunnuniq (subject to recount).

The incumbents will be joined by 11 new faces: Steve Mapsalak, Akulliq; Louis Tapardjuk, Amittuq; David Alagalak, Arviat; David Simailak, Baker Lake; Keith Peterson, Cambridge Bay; Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Kugluktuk; Leona Aglukkaq, Nattilik; Levinia Brown, Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove and James Arreak, Uqqqummiut. Tagak Curley, Rankin Inlet North, was the only MLA to be acclaimed into office.

Of the 19 members only two of the elected officials are women, Brown and Aglukkaq.

The new MLAs will meet at the Legislature March 4 to elect the Premier, the Speaker of the House and the cabinet ministers.