News Release: New NunatuKavut Governing Council Elected
HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, September 30, 2020 – The preliminary results of the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) 2020 General Election were released by the Chief Elections Officer following the close of the election on September 29. The elected seats, listed below, include the President, Councillors representing NCC’s designated areas and a Youth Councillor. Some were declared elected by acclamation following the close of nominations on September 1. An Elder and Executive Council members will be appointed by the new Governing Council in the coming days.
President: Todd Russell (Incumbent – by acclamation)
Councillor for Area 1 – Straits: Levi Snook (Incumbent – by acclamation)
Councillor for Area 2 – Battle Harbour: Roy Mangrove (By ballot)
Councillors for Area 3 – Bolsters Rock to Spear Point: Cyril Campbell (Incumbent – by acclamation) and Boyce Turnbull (Incumbent – by acclamation)
Councillor for Area 4 – Sandwich Bay/Island of Ponds: Crystal Dyson (By ballot)
Councillors for Area 5 – Central Labrador: James Holwell (Incumbent – by ballot) and Hughlett Williams (By ballot)
Councillor for Area 6 – Western Labrador: Jessie Tobin (Incumbent – by acclamation)
Councillor for Area 7 – All of Canada Outside NunatuKavut: Anna Thistle (By ballot)
Youth Councillor: Zoey Russell (By ballot)
The new Governing Council will hold its inaugural meeting prior to the end of October.
Quick Facts
- In response to the continued uncertainty around the COVID-19 global pandemic, NCC introduced an online process for the 2020 General Election. As a result, members had the option to vote virtually, either online or by telephone. Simply Voting Inc was hired as the independent, third-party election provider.
- A new seat has been added to the 2020 election to represent Full Members – Non-Resident (those living outside of the designated areas in Labrador). This was passed through a resolution during NCC’s 2019-20 Annual General Assembly process.
- NCC is the representative governing body for approximately 6,000 Inuit who reside primarily in south and central Labrador.
- NunatuKavut means “Our Ancient Land” in Inuttitut and is the traditional territory of the Inuit who belong to this territory.
- In July 2018, NCC entered into talks with the Government of Canada on the Recognition of its Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD). In September 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed.
Quotes
“I would like to congratulate my fellow Governing Council members on their election win and I welcome them to the table. They each bring their own unique and different perspectives on the issues and opportunities facing the NunatuKavut Community Council and our people. I am especially happy to see more female representation on the team, which contributes to good governance. I look forward to bringing the new board up to speed on the tremendous work happening at NCC, including the challenges we face and the progress we are making on important files like the recognition of our Indigenous rights and self-determination, education, our fisheries and additional program access for our people. I sincerely thank all of the members who voted in this election and the NunatuKavut elections office. Our people have shown incredible support and trust in NunatuKavut and this new Governing Council. We have an exciting and busy four years ahead of us.” — Todd Russell, President of NCC
“I am extremely pleased with the 2020 General Election. We introduced a new virtual election process this year due to COVID-19, which we believe has contributed to increased voter participation. My appreciation to our Chief Elections Officer and the election team for taking on this new challenge. I thank everyone who exercised their right to vote in this way. I also thank all candidates who put their names on the ballot and contributed to the electoral process. It shows your commitment to NunatuKavut Inuit and your desire to make a difference.” — Dorothy Earle, Chief Executive Officer, NCC
Associated Links
- For further information on NCC, please visit www.nunatukavut.ca. Please also join in the conversation at Facebook.com/nunatukavut and Twitter @nunatukavut.
Contact
Kelly Broomfield
Director of Communications
T: 709-280-5965
E. commununications@nunatukavut.ca