Nellie Cournoyea elected for sixth time as IRC Chair

n January 16, Nellie Cournoyea (Tuktoyaktuk) is elected as returning chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). She received 33 out of 41 votes. Patrick Gruben, who ran against her, received 8 votes.

The election of the IRC chair was held in the Community Corporations of the ISR. 41 instead of 42 directors from Aklavik, Ulukhaktok, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk voted in this election, a director seat at Aklavik was vacant.

This will be Nellie’s sixth two-year term. She was first elected as Chair of the IRC in January 1996. Her responsibilities of administering the benefits received by the Inuvialuit under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement will continue.

Nellie was the former premier of the Northwest Territories, and one of the original negotiators and signatories of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.

Congratulations Nellie!