Summer

Leadership, finances, self-determination, and the voices of communities were at the centre of Makivvik’s winter Board meeting and Annual General Meeting.

In early 2026, the winter meeting of Makivvik’s Board of Directors was held in Inukjuak from February 23 to 26, followed two months later by the Annual General Meeting in Salluit from April 27 to 30.

The February Board meeting in Inukjuak followed a practical agenda that moved from governance to finances, economic development, environment and wildlife, and the work of Makivvik’s subsidiaries.

President Pita Aatami opened the meeting with his report, followed by reports from Economic Development Vice-President Andy Moorhouse, Environment, Wildlife and Research Vice-President Adamie Delisle Alaku, Treasurer George Berthe and Corporate Secretary Alicia Aragutak.

Financial accountability was an important part of the gathering. The Board reviewed Makivvik’s 2025 financial report and audited financial statements, with approval of the audited statements identified as a resolution on the agenda. The Legal Department also brought forward a resolution concerning signing officers.

The Board then turned to the organizations and companies that form an important part of Makivvik’s economic footprint, including Air Inuit, NEAS, Kautaq Construction, Tarquti Energy, Halutik, Nunavik Geomatics and Nunavik Rotors.
The meeting also included community reports and an election, as well as decisions about the Order of Nunavik. The recipients later announced at the AGM were Aupaluk’s Maggie Akpahatak and Kuujjuaq’s Peter May.

In early February, between the BOD and AGM, Nunavimmiut also went through another important part of Makivvik’s democratic process: elections.

George Berthe was re-elected Treasurer in the February 2026 universal election, receiving 1,136 votes, or 33 per cent of the ballots cast. Overall turnout was 33.03 per cent, with 3,440 of 10,415 eligible voters participating. Makivvik noted that 21.3 per cent of voters cast their ballots online. Adamie Delisle Alaku was re-elected by acclamation as VP Department of Wildlife, Environment, and Research for another three years. Both swore their oaths of office at the AGM.

Six community-director positions were also up for election on April 17. In Killiniq Tommy Unatweenuk was elected by acclamation, as were Elena Berthe in Tasiujaq, Peter Annahatak Timmons in Kangirsuk, and Charlie Paningajak in Ivujivik. Jack Niviaxie won by majority with 61 per cent of the vote in Umiujaq and Elijah Ningiuruvik won by majority with 75 per cent of the vote in Kangiqsujuaq.

The Nunavik All Organizations meeting was hosted by Makivvik April 14-16 in Montreal. For more details see the article in this issue of Tarralik.

Nine days later, the 2026 Makivvik AGM opened with prayer and welcoming remarks from Salluit Mayoress Maggie Saviakjuk, followed by President Pita Aatami’s opening statement.

The agenda then moved through the core work of Makivvik including departmental activity reports, audited financial statements, subsidiaries and youth representation, community reports, and governance matters.

The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, participated virtually. Her participation reflected the continuing importance of Makivvik’s relationship with the federal government, particularly as Nunavik continues to pursue greater control over matters affecting Inuit.

The President’s report also included the Nunavik Elders’ Dialogue, the selection of a name for Makivvik’s new southern shelter for Inuit women and children, and Makivvik’s Silapaaq contest. The shelter is expected to open in fall 2026 and is being devel-oped as an Inuit-specific, culturally safe and trauma-informed space for women and children fleeing domestic violence.