Four candidates from Inuvik, two from Tuktoyaktuk and one from Paulatuk make up a seven-way contest for chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in January’s election.
On January 20, 2026, the 42 directors of the Inuvialuit community corporations will select a chair for the next four years.
On Thursday, the IRC published a list of seven candidates who met the Wednesday deadline to be nominated. The IRC included the associated community corporation of each candidate:
- Erwin Elias Tuktoyaktuk
- Lucy Kuptana Tuktoyaktuk
- Hans Lennie Inuvik
- Lawrence Ruben Paulatuk
- Duane Smith Inuvik
- Brian Wade Inuvik
- Kurt Wainman Inuvik
Lucy Kuptana’s candidacy had been made public earlier this week when the Nunakput MLA let legislative colleagues know she would be running for IRC chair.
Duane Smith, the incumbent, is seeking another term. He has held the role since 2016, succeeding Nellie Cournoyea.
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Candidate biographies are being published by the IRC as they are received on a website dedicated to the election. Three had been made public as of Thursday afternoon.
In his biography, Hans Lennie – an Inuvialuit Land Administration assistant manager – said his campaign focuses on centring youth, adding “it is critical that economic pursuits do not overshadow the protection of our lands, waters, animals, and our way of life.”
Former Paulatuk Community Corporation chair Lawrence Ruben said in his biography he would focus on “fostering resource revenue sharing and ensuring our natural environment is protected while creating job opportunities for our beneficiaries.”
Brian Wade, director of the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization, said in his biography that his leadership would be “driven by the social issues that continue to impact Inuvialuit – residential school trauma, lateral violence, addictions and all forms of abuse.”
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Erwin Elias recently stepped down as the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk after six years in the role. Kurt Wainman is the founder and president of Inuvik-based Northwind Industries.
A candidates’ forum is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
The election takes the form of a secret ballot. Multiple rounds may be needed, with one candidate eliminated each time, until a candidate receives more than 50 percent of votes available.
