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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
There were more than a few people in disbelief when Rankin Inlet Mayor Pujjuut Kusugak announced he wasn't going to seek a second term in office this coming month.

Outgoing Rankin Inlet Mayor Pujjuut Kusugak deeply appreciates the support he's received from his home community. - NNSL file photo

Kusugak, 33, said the decision was based on family and employment reasons.

He said the mayor's position is a three-year term that comes with a tremendous demand on one's time.

"Being the mayor of Rankin Inlet should be a full-time job," said Kusugak.

"My job at the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA), and being mayor at the same time, was putting a real strain on my time.

"I gained some valuable experience as mayor, but I'm comfortable with my decision to take a step back and assess what options I may have in the future.

"I'd love to go back on hamlet council or run for mayor again in the future, but I haven't given any serious thought to territorial politics or elected positions with Inuit organizations."

Kusugak will step down as mayor while still enjoying solid support among voters and youth alike.

The ovation he received from future voters when making an appearance at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik this past week revealed the promise of an extended run as mayor.

But Kusugak said there's been huge changes in his life during the past few years, especially dealing with the death of his father, Jose.

He said family is his top priority and the time is right to slow the pace a little.

"I knew I had a good chance to get re-elected if I ran again, and that made a very difficult decision even tougher.

"There were people who asked me to put my name back in after I had announced I wasn't going to run, so there's some really awesome support here for me.

"I have to thank the people for the confidence and support they've given me during the past two years."

Pujjuut had two very large shadows looming over him when he entered politics.

His father's is one of the most recognizable Inuit names in history.

And his uncle, Lorne Kusugak, is a multi-portfolio minister with the Nunavut government and regarded as one of the best mayors in the history of Rankin Inlet.

Pujjuut said when he first decided to run for hamlet council and then the mayorship, he often thought about what impact his family name would have upon him.

He said he decided from day one to be honest, help people when he could, and, if he said he was going to do something, work as hard as he could to make it happen.

"(Being named Kusugak) is going to work for you at times and it's going to work against you at others.

"But as long as you give your best effort and stay open and transparent, you begin to carve out your own reputation.

"I get introduced as Jose Kusugak's son a lot and it was very difficult just after he passed away because so many stories were going around.

"But during the past year I realized it's an honour to be proud of and not something to ever try and run away from."

Pujjuut said being Jose's son gave him the advantage of hearing stories on how his father handled different situations.

He said he's grown to appreciate some of the difficult decisions his father had to make, the stance he took for Inuit, how those decisions affected his life and, sometimes, how his life affected those decisions.

"Working to help all Inuit is something I've grown up with and believe in, so it's something I'm going to follow, but sometimes it can be hard.

"I've gone through a lot of really low points during the past couple of years, and having the Kusugak name can be quite difficult because there are a lot of people who don't like us, or don't believe in the work we're trying to do.

"But, I hope there's more people who believe Lorne and my father have always been there to help people.

"That's the whole point of these positions: you're there to make a difference in people's lives."

At times, Pujjuut finds himself dealing with someone who believes he's only in his position because of his father or the family name.

He admits he's also heard stories, although never told to his face, that he's only at the KIA because of Jose.

Pujjuut said that can be quite difficult to deal with.

He said when nepotism is whispered as the reason for his success, his diplomas from high school, Nunavut Sivuniksavut, Nunavut Teacher Education Program and his bachelor of education diploma are ignored.

"It's like all of those things don't count at all, and everything I worked so hard at to get educated have nothing to do with where I am today.

"But, at the end of the day, when I ask myself if I worked hard for it and did the best I could -- when I can answer yes, that's all that matters.

"I'm blessed to have a supportive family and great friends and that's, really, all I go by."

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