Published 2:40 am Sunday, July 26, 2026 Hope Nakimaja, from Paulatung, was appointed President of the Inuit Arctic Council of Canada (ICC) at the Canadian 13th Council on July 21 in Iqaluit. Nakimaja, the guiding border president since September 2025, received 11 votes to the defeat of Clevak Kabluna, who received two votes. Sakimaja is expected to lead the position of President until the next appointment in 2030. ICC Canada is a global body representing people, including Russia (Sokota), Alaska, the Northwest Territories (Inuit), Nunavut, Northern Territory and Quebec (Nunavut). Nakimaj said the winner was noted for leading the organization through the challenges of bringing the Arctic to the attention of the world. “The ICC has successfully overcome the challenges of addressing changes in the landscape, the landscape, and continue to work with the ICC directors to ensure that the message is broadcast worldwide where it comes from, here at home.” Deal with the threatening Sea US wants California. Russia’s war in Yukon, and China’s Arctic Sea coastline have challenged the ICC to uphold Indigenous sovereignty – all councilors’ comments on the President’s election. The Arctic must continue to remain without war and the ICC cannot affect the conflicts in these areas, Nakimaja said. ICC Canada continues to vote on EU legislation banning the sale of sealskin and recently proposed to ban the sale of sealskins online through Etsy. Nakimaya promises to use it. “The statistics we have are being used to show the EU and others around the world that seals are healthy right now,” he said. He said he had a lot of responsibilities leading the ICC’s Canadian Regional Head before being appointed. The agency is in a different location from a different time of year, says Nakimaya. “It was urgent on behalf of the ICC’s position and now seeing when Nathan O’Brien had to take over as chairman, and in September, when I was appointed to limit my position as chairman. Boyd, President of the Canadian Association of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and one of the 13 voters, served as ICC Canada for eight months. Nakimaj held the MLA seat at his home in Nunakpur from 2015 to 2019 in the NWT Assembly. He was elected as ICC Canada Vice-President of the World Council for two years, from 2014 to 2018 and from 2022 to September Kabluna, the candidate, will hold the position of CEO of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) from December 2018 to June 2026. However, Kabluna resigned when Clary Ulutsi was elected CEO of NTI. Ulutsi, who is also a member of the 13-member appointing board of ICC Canada, declined to comment on why Kabluna resigned as CEO in June. Nakimaj and Kabluna were given 10 minutes to talk about their experiences with the 13 Indigenous directors and organizers of ICC Canada, and 20 minutes for questions. In the same interviews with each candidate, the motion was made by the Makivik President, Peter Atami, who represents the people of Nunavik. Capluna talks, reads from his notes and waits for questions. Looking back, Sakimaja said she wasn’t prepared and spoke from the heart, telling 13 voters when her birthday would be. Each candidate was asked how we would deal with the ICC on behalf of Canada in the face of global conflicts and how the guidelines would be. Director of ICC Canada Those who elected President Inianu were: −Orin Elijah, Chairman of Inuvialuit Corporation Office −Rorin Issau, Deputy Chairman of Inuvialuit Corporation Office −Terry Nasugaluk, Board of Directors of Inuvialuit Corporation, NTI Office − Deputy President of NTI – Olayuk Akisuk, President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association – Joanne Lab, President of the Government of Nunavut – Raxon Pauper, Minister of Health and Social Development – Nunavut – Jerod Asivak, Minister of Education and Financial Development Delayu Alako, Deputy Director of Environment, Wildlife and Investigation McKinsey Corporation –George Putt, Finance Officer McKinsey Corporation –Nathan Obed, Vice President of Canada Office at ICC Canada
Hope Nakimaj Appointed President of Inuit Arctic Council
