QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND
Crediting his daughters' role in making his win possible, new Uqqummiut MLA Pauloosie Keyootak of Qikiqtarjuaq received a warm welcome to the legislature at a swearing-in ceremony Feb. 24.
Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias swears in Uqqummiut MLA Pauloosie Keyootak, who joined the legislature after winning a Feb. 9 byelection to replace Samuel Nuqingaq. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo |
"I'm very proud of my daughters and granddaughters," Keyootak told the media. "They were very supportive of me during my campaign. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have won."
Speaking in the legislature later that day, he also thanked his wife.
"I would like to pay special tribute to my wife, Alice, for the strength that she gives me," he told legislators.
Daughter Amy Qiyuqtaq, who spent time on the campaign trail, brought her daughter Alyssa to witness the event.
"It's exciting," Qiyuqtaq said. "I'm proud. A proud moment. We hope he does hard work and accomplish what he's doing."
Nena Qiyuqtaq agreed with her sister.
"We're happy about it," she said. "We try to give him support as much as we can."
Keyootak replaces Samuel Nuqingaq, also of Qikiqtarjuaq, who was the first from the community to be elected to the legislature.
Nuqingaq was expelled in October. Nuqingaq missed the first week of orientation for new members in the fall of 2013 and was suspended at the March session. Later it was revealed that he faced criminal charges of assault and unlawfully entering a dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Nuqingaq received substance abuse counselling, and returned to the legislature Oct. 21 but failed to return on later days and was expelled by the end of the week.
Keyootak won a Feb. 9 byelection as the only Qikiqtarjuaq candidate. Niore Iqalukjuak and James Arreak split the vote in Clyde River, leading to
Keyootak's victory.
As a frequent visitor to Clyde River, Keyootak said he will work to gain the trust of the hamlet's residents to represent their interests in the legislature.
"For the two communities, the first priority will be to try to obtain a small-craft facility for both communities," he said.
He reiterated his message in the legislature later that afternoon. "There is an urgent need for new marine infrastructure in both communities."
He also said his constituents are concerned about seismic testing.
"Qikiqtani Inuit Association will be holding a workshop in the two communities regarding seismic testing so they'll all have a better understanding and be at the same level as everyone," he said.
Keyootak has been involved in politics for some time, serving as president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association until 2000. That year, he was asked to step down for breaching the organization's code of conduct. He placed fourth in the most recent QIA presidential election.
Despite his history leading a regional organization, he said being MLA is a bigger deal.
"It's a little different from being a president of an Inuit organization such as Qikiqtani Inuit Association, in that this is where the Inuit leaders are, at the legislative assembly," he said. "There's a greater responsibility with being a member of the legislative assembly."
