Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has begun accepting nominations until August 28 for a presidential election that will take place on September 18.
Natan Obed was acclaimed as the national Inuit organization’s president in 2021.
On Thursday, Nunatsiaq News reported Obed had decided to seek a fourth term as ITK’s leader despite previously saying he would not run again.
Inuit can’t vote directly in September’s election.
Instead, votes for ITK’s president are cast by designated representatives of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivvik and the Nunatsiavut Government. Two delegates per region and the ITK vice-president also vote.
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Nunatsiaq News reported Obed, explaining his decision to run again, had said: “I am one of the last Indigenous leaders that is around here in Ottawa from when I first started in 2015. There is an advantage to being a veteran and being somebody that has seen a lot in these last 10 years.”
The voting members can each nominate a candidate, or alternatively people who want the job can submit a form with the support of 20 other Inuit. They have until 3pm MT on August 28 to do so.
The election will be held following ITK’s annual general meeting in Cambridge Bay.
