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NUNAVUT
Nunavummiut from many communities, excluding Iqaluit, will choose councillors and/or mayors during the Dec. 10 municipal elections.

Nunavut News/North asked the mayoral candidates why they're running, what are they hoping to achieve once elected and what they think will be their biggest obstacle in achieving their goals.

Iglulik

Joseph Inooya was acclaimed mayor for the next two years.

The 49-year-old said he put his name forward after hearing the position advertised on the radio but he never thought he would win because two other people had put their names forward.

"I never thought I'd be the only one left for that position. It's a shock to me," he said. "I was pretty surprised myself. Like elders usually say, 'try and you might succeed.' I guess it's happened to me that way."

Mayoral candidates Joanna Quassa and Gideon Qaunaq withdrew their nominations, leaving Inooya as the sole candidate.

Inooya was raised in Hall Beach and moved to Iglulik as a child. He now works at the radio station. The mayor-elect said he's willing to hear people's point of view.

"I'm willing to help the people of Iglulik and I know it's not going to be easy for me as a rookie," said Inooya.

Uqsuqtuuq/Gjoa Haven

Allen Aglukkaq, the incumbent, is seek re-election after being asked by residents to keep his hat in the ring, he said. He has been the community's mayor for the past two years and would not specify goals he wants achieved.

"It will be up to the council," said Aglukkaq. "I like to work with the council. I don't like to do things alone. "

He works at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik as a school community counsellor.

"To get the point across to the public about things council might want to see and the community wants to see," he said would be his biggest obstacle.

Trina Sallerina, a Grade 9 teacher at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik, said she put her name forward in the mayoral race because she wants to see changes in Gjoa Haven and she's willing to make a difference.

"I want to work with the community and make Gjoa Haven a better place to live," she said.

Sallerina has lived in Gjoa Haven for the last 18 years, living in the North as long as she lived in the south. Her children were born and raised in the community.

"I'm hoping I can serve my community so I'm serving the needs and the desires of the community," she said.

She said the biggest obstacle to her goals will be the hamlet's finances.

"The finances haven't been dealt with," said Sallerina. "We need to be accountable for the finances and the people who are working with the finances need to be accountable. That information needs to be given to the council and the mayor so the community can move forward."

Andrew Porter said he joined the mayoral race as the younger generation needs to speak up.

"I think it's time for us, younger generation, to voice our concerns because a lot of the times, the younger generation, the youth are being not heard," he said. "I feel I can voice their concerns."

The 39-year-old, who owns and manages Northwest Passage Expedition Tours, said his youth could also be seen as a downside.

"The biggest obstacle for me would be having the town put their trust in me because I'm young but I know, with my education and my skills and my talent that obstacle can be challenged," said Porter.

He added the hamlet's financial issues would also be a big obstacle.

Porter said he wants to push more for education but will not make promises.

"My goal is to work closely with the community and council, making sure the bylaws are being abided by and making sure we work closely together with our MLAs and federal government to deal with our issues," he said. "We have housing issues. We have high cost of living, to name a few."

Candidates Anthony Angutittauruq and Linda Hunter could not be reached for comment by press time.

Qikiqtarjuaq/Broughton Island

In the past 20 years, candidate Mary Killiktee has managed a hotel, managed the Qikiqtarjuaq Housing Association and most recently worked as a community justice outreach worker.

"I believe my experience and commitment to my community make me the best candidate to serve my community as mayor," said Killiktee, who also served four years with the district education authority and is currently a member of the community economic development committee. "I am confident I can lead my community to a better economic and social position."

Killiktee said healthy living, reduced social problems and reduced poverty are key objectives in her bid for mayor.

"I am committed to enhancing education to ensure a sustainable future for our children and to make information accessible to all our residents," she said. "I believe in transparency and keeping the community informed. Our residents need the freedom to make choices. These choices are only enhanced by a strong economy and a commitment to social betterment."

She said she's proud to call Qikiqtarjuaq home and the biggest obstacle right now for the community is a renewed focus and access to information to continue the social and economic improvements needed to reduce unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse and dependency on social assistance.

Mayoral candidate Allen Kooneeliusie could not be reached by deadline.

Kimmirut/Lake Harbour

Joe Arlooktoo, will remain as acting mayor until a byelection is called in order to allow for full nomination period. A byelection is expected to happen early in 2013.

Ausuittuq/Grise Fiord

Canadian Ranger and Grise Fiord mayoral candidate Liza Ningiuk says she would like to see both council and the community at large become more lively and involved.

"I have watched the community be improperly directed and would like to see our community be involved more and be happier," said Ningiuk in Inuktitut.

"Most importantly, I would like to see something done with our airlines and would like to see some improvement in the process of groceries coming into the community. I would like to see and find more resources so there is funding to make more roads for hunters, and more resources to fund a dock.If voted mayor, Ningiuk is also hoping to achieve a cleaner community with cleaner camping grounds. She said the lack of airlines and space on planes for shipping large items into the community, and generally the high cost of the shipping, is the community's biggest obstacle.

Candidate Meeka Kigutak declined to comment.

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