“Very excited, bit overwhelming, kind of unbelievable,” were the first words out of re-elected Kivalliq Inuit Association President Kono Tattuinee when talking to Kivalliq News.
“It seemed like we were in kind of a dream. The campaign went pretty much to plan. It was all the hard work between my team and I.”
Tattuinee earned 608 votes to win the Dec. 11 election. Samuel Alagalak received 454 votes while David Kuksuk garnered 381, Ross Tatty 367 and Patterk Netser 245.
One resounding message Tattuinee heard on the campaign trail was the need for a boarding home, as well as interest in the Kivalliq Inuit Association’s legacy fund. Tattuinee said the KIA will be touring communities and asking what their needs are.
“We have quite a bit of money,” he said, adding he’d like to emphasize Inuit cultural teaching and knowledge passing.
He also thinks the KIA could top-off wolf, fox or bear skin payments for hunters.
“That’s something I’m sure would be well-supported by the new board,” he said.
One thing the KIA is doing well already is producing programs for people, said Tattuinee, mentioning the hunter’s support grant, which offsets shipping costs for equipment.
He congratulated the KIA new board, which he said will be strong and has good experience.
“It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about the board.”
Mentioning Guy Enuapik, re-elected as a representative in Whale Cove, Tattuinee said, “He’s our Elder and somebody who’s our voice of reason for the organization.”
He also said he respects those who ran but weren’t elected.
Regarding Agnico Eagle, Tattuinee said, “We have to keep in mind that we have a mine in our backyard, and we want to make sure Inuit are taken care of.”
Asked about the Meliadine gold mine extension plans, Tattuinee said KIA staff were taking care of that file and, “We have the impact benefit agreements that we live by and we die by.”
Referring to a petition to remove him as president last year, Tattuinee said he’s hoping to work well with hunters and trappers organizations.
“We’ve had a rough patch between us and a misunderstanding that we need to clear the air.”
Tattuinee said his first term as president and getting back into office has been humbling and a lot of hard work, mentioning his wife as his rock and 88-year-old mother as his biggest fan.
He said he won’t change his colours and pretend to be someone he’s not.