Directors of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) have chosen Erwin Elias, the former mayor of Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., as their new chairperson. The selection process kicked off in Inuvik with a forum where seven candidates presented their qualifications for the position. Voting ensued, with each of the corporation’s 42 directors participating in a series of run-off rounds, aiming for a candidate to secure over 50 percent of the votes. In the event of no candidate reaching this threshold, the contender with the fewest votes would be removed for subsequent rounds.
Initially, seven contenders vied for the role: Kurt Wainman, Lawrence Ruben, Hans Lennie, the incumbent Duane Smith, Brian Wade, N.W.T. MLA Lucy Kuptana, and Erwin Elias. Following the initial round of voting, Wainman and Ruben were eliminated. Subsequent rounds saw Lennie, Smith, and Wade being successively eliminated, leaving Kuptana and Elias as the final two candidates. Elias emerged victorious, expressing his gratitude and emotion in a brief acceptance speech.
Throughout his campaign, Elias engaged with the communities in the Inuvialuit region by organizing meetings, feasts, and musical events to foster connections with the people. Although the forum and voting were conducted privately, the proceedings were broadcast live, attracting an audience of 600 viewers. Additionally, a watch party at the IRC headquarters in Inuvik drew over a dozen attendees.
Established in 1984 post the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation serves as the official entity representing the political, economic, and land-claim interests of the Inuvialuit in the Western Arctic. Premier R.J. Simpson congratulated Elias on his appointment, expressing eagerness to collaborate on initiatives crucial to the Northern community. Meanwhile, Lucy Kuptana, who previously held ministerial roles, including housing and the status of women, will resume her duties following her participation in the IRC chair election, for which she had temporarily relinquished her portfolios.
