INUVIK
While much of the territory may have voted for change, Inuvik chose to stick by its tried and true members.

Mable Brown says a prayer for MLA-elect Alfred Moses at the Inuvik Community Corporation Nov. 23 shortly after the results were read. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

Incumbent Alfred Moses blew challenger Dez Loreen out of the water, garnering nearly 90 per cent of the votes cast in Inuvik Boot Lake.

"I'm very glad to be in this position," he told a room full of supporters at the Inuvik Community Corporation Nov. 23. "It's a tough job, but it's worth it."

He said that last time he ran, his victory was far from assured.

Moses said people there prayed for him, and that he believed those prayers worked. This time round, Mable Brown said the prayer after the results were announced, 366 to 47 for the incumbent.

"I think we ran a pretty strong campaign," Moses said. "This isn't a win for me, this is a community win."

He then promised to work even harder in his next term, building on the experience he gained in his first mandate. He also thanked various members of the community for their support and particular efforts, including his mom and dad.

"I was anxious before, campaigning is a lot of work," he said. "But I'm feeling happy for the community. It shows that you put hard work in and it pays off."

Shortly before the official results were announced, challenger Dez Loreen visited Moses to congratulate him.

"It really stings, but I'm good with it," Loreen said afterwards. "Maybe it will all hit me tonight in a dream, but right now I am at peace. Had a good handshake with Alfred tonight. That felt good. Relief."

He was, however, resigned to the results, saying the community had spoken and that it's clear residents are satisfied with Moses' hard work. Loreen's goal was to make the incumbent work for his spot in the legislature and said he felt he did that.

"He has a very strong attendance and work record in the (legislative assembly)," Loreen said. "This campaign has shown me a glimpse of what I can do for my community. I plan on building on this loss, and coming back strong next time."

'Nervous anticipation'

Having dozens of family and friends over for food and fun is nothing new for the McLeods, even on an election night.

Robert C. McLeod was elected to a fourth term in office Nov. 23, beating out challenger Jimmy Kalinek in the Inuvik Twin Lakes electoral district. Splitting his time between media demands downstairs and his family upstairs, he continued a running commentary on the results of the territorial election.

"It's exciting to have everyone here for this," said Sharla Greenland. She noted that while there was a lot of energy in the air, no one had been unduly stressed.

"My dad never took anything for granted," said Kim Wainman. "He really worked hard for it, really put in the effort."

While some crowded around the television, others crowded into a room with a computer, hitting refresh on the results page again and again.

Still others were glued to their phones, watching for the latest changes and reporting them to the room. As some of McLeod's colleagues from the 17th Assembly fell to newcomers, including Jane Groenewegen in Hay River South and David Ramsay in Kam Lake, the Twin Lakes incumbent pulled further ahead. A great cheer rose up when the victor was announced, filling the house.

"There was some nervous anticipation," McLeod said. "But we felt pretty comfortable ... I'm feeling pretty good; ready to get to work in the 18th Assembly."

While it wasn't a win for Inuvik Twin Lakes candidate Jimmy Kalinek this time, he wasn't too discouraged.

"I hope people take something home from this," he said, shortly after the announcement that McLeod had taken the district. "Sixty per cent didn't vote."

Surrounded by his family at Martha Blake's house, Kalinek watched the results roll out earlier this evening. At 9:20 p.m., with six out of eight polls reporting, the tally was 261 for McLeod and 173 for Kalinek. Children, parents and elders alike scanned the screen for updates and stayed hopeful right until the end. Kalinek said he hopes his campaign showed young people they could step forward and make a difference.

"It's hard to get people out to vote," he said. "There are over 1,000 people who can vote in Twin Lakes and they're lucky to get 400 out. We've been trying to get people out who don't normally vote, but you can only preach so much - then they have to get out and do it."

Kalinek also said he agreed with what people had been saying about him and how he was characterized in the media as the young upstart.

"They said I was this unknown young guy who stepped up and made (McLeod) work for it," he said. "It's important to give people a choice. Win or lose, if they want to keep him, at least they voted him in and he wasn't acclaimed."

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