Natan Obed has been re-elected for a fourth term as the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the national Inuit organization in Canada. ITK serves as the collective voice for Inuit people across the country, with the president chosen by representatives from ITK’s four director organizations: the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Makivvik Corporation, and the Nunatsiavut government.
The election took place during ITK’s annual general meeting in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, on Thursday, where Obed was sworn in for another four-year term. He competed against Kevin Kablutsiak, a former managing editor at CBC N.W.T. and Yukon with experience in communications and marketing at various northern organizations.
Originally from Nain, N.L., Obed first became ITK president in 2015, following his work with the Labrador Inuit Association and Nunavut Tunngavik. In a recent interview with CBC News, Obed expressed unexpected decision to seek a fourth term due to recent political uncertainties involving threats from foreign nations and the appointment of a new prime minister.
Obed highlighted housing as a top priority, referencing the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy developed in collaboration with ITK, which he believes has not been fully enacted. Despite not being fluent in Inuktitut, he expressed commitment to championing the language in any capacity.
Meanwhile, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada introduced Herb Nakimayak as its new interim president, who will also serve as the vice-president of ITK. Nakimayak, a former N.W.T. MLA from Paulatuk, will hold the position until the next ICC election next summer. Founded in 1977, the Inuit Circumpolar Council advocates for Inuit from Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia.
