PRESS RELEASE
February 10, 2021 – Pita Aatami has been elected President of Makivvik. Nunavimmiut cast their ballots on Thursday February 4th for the executive position. With 2,356 (66.70%) votes, Pita Aatami earned more support than incumbent Charlie Watt Sr., and newcomer candidate Noah Cain.
The president position is not new to Pita Aatami. He served as Makivvik President between 1998 and 2012 and previously held the position of treasurer and board member for Kuujjuaq within the corporation.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be welcomed back to Makivvik as President. Though I haven’t stopped serving my fellow Nunavimmiut in my years away from Makivvik, I look forward to representing my region again in this capacity. It’s a time for unity, a time for all our organizations to work together for the betterment of Nunavimmiut. Being voted in as President shows me that my fellow Nunavimmiut feel the same way. It was a hard fought campaign. My fellow candidates were our historic leader and elder Charlie Watt Sr., and newcomer Noah Cain. A vigorous public discussion of our issues is healthy for our Inuit democracy as we seek to create our new government. ”
For the last eight years Pita Aatami, 60, has held the role of President and CEO of Air Inuit, one of Makivvik’s major subsidiaries. He made the decision to resign in order to run for the position of Makivvik President. Under Makivvik’s bylaws an employee of Makivvik or its subsidiaries must first resign from their position before running for an elected position within the corporation. The President will serve for a three-year term.
This year saw a voter turnout of 3,532 ballots, a representation of 40.95% of Nunavik’s eligible voters. For a full break down of this year’s results visit our website at www.makivik.org/results
-30-
Contact:
Carson Tagoona
Director of Communications
Makivvik
ctagoona@makivik.org
www.makivik.org
Makivvik is the land claims organization mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit of Nunavik provided for under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Makivvik’s role includes the administration and investment of these funds and the promotion of economic growth by providing assistance for the creation of Inuit-operated businesses in Nunavik. Makivvik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty, and education of Inuit in the communities.