Political Donations Individual and corporate cash contributions, exceeding $200, to Nunavut candidates in the last federal election: David Aglukark Sr. (Conservative) Don Elliott -- $5,100 Kevin Sanguin -- $250 First Air -- $1,000 Nunasi Corporation -- $250 Nunavut Construction Group -- $1,000 Conservative Party of Canada -- $11,175.93 Nancy Karetak-Lindell (Liberal) David Crockatt -- $500 Kim Crockatt -- $500 Derek Neufeld -- $500 Landon Pearson -- $250 Joan Scullion -- $1,000 Derek Teevan -- $1,000 953731 Ltd. -- $500 Coman Arctic Ltd. -- $500 First Air Ltd. -- $1,000 M&T Enterprises Ltd. -- $250 Nunasi Corporation -- $250 Liberal Party of Canada -- $19,250 Bill Riddell (NDP) Nancy Campbell -- $500 Madeline Cole -- $400 Kim Cummings -- $400 Christopher Debicki -- $350 Yvonne Earle -- $1,000 Steven Foulds -- $400 Jack Hicks -- $400 Hugh Lloyd -- $300 Cameron/Cathy McGregor -- $1,500 Gary Pon -- $400 Geoffrey Ryan -- $400 Marilyn Scott -- $500 Susan Spring -- $400 David/Mary Wilman -- $500 Douglas Workman -- $1,000 First Air -- $1,000 Nunasi Corporation -- $250 Ed DeVries (Marijuana Party) Leo Nangmalik -- $500 Hedron Analytical Inc. -- $500 Knox Research Inc. -- $500 Feliks Kappi (Green Party) William B. Gawor -- $2,413.19 Source: Elections Canada Financial Reports

Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Arviat (Jan 08/07) - With a spring election rumoured and incumbent MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell having just announced she won't run again, Nunavut's Liberals will have to move quickly to find a new candidate for the largest federal riding in Canada.
Every Eastern Arctic MP since 1988 has been a Liberal.

The current MP knows what her successor should look and sound like. According to Karetak-Lindell, if you don't speak Inuktitut, don't run.

"I think the person (chosen as the Liberal candidate) has to be able to read and speak Inuktitut. I never hesitated to use that when I was running against people who couldn't," she said. "As Inuit people, we have to put our foot down and say Inuktitut is the language we speak. A lot of my consultations happen in a community hall or at the store. (Through Inuktitut) I get to speak to them and they get to genuinely speak with me."

There are other factors she considers when speculating on the ideal Nunavut Liberal. The last two representatives have come from the Kivalliq region, and the current MP sees an advantage to that.

"That (the home of the candidate) is always a big topic of discussion. One of the reasons we have been successful is because we are the middle region and we can reach out. Both sides maybe feel more comfortable because they can reach out halfway," said Karetak-Lindell. The MP has a cheering interest in the upcoming race; she is rooting for young women.

"I would love to see a woman in that seat. I'd also like to encourage younger people to get involved politically," she said.

A young, Inuktitut-speaking woman from the Kivalliq region makes up her ideal wishlist, but there is another factor that falls into play: money.

Karetak-Lindell spent $34,629.89 on her 2006 campaign. Second in spending was Conservative David Aglukark Sr. with $19,175.93 and in third was the NDP's Bill Riddell with $10,850. The order of spending is a mirror of the order of finish in the election.

"We need someone who will resonate with the people, you can never forget that you are a servant of the people," Karetak-Lindell said. "There are 308 members (of Parliament), there are 308 ways to get there, and there are 308 ways to do the job."