The candidates: Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet

Rankin Inlet (pop. 2,840) is Nunavut's second largest community and the administrative and transportation hub for the Kivalliq region.

Rankin Inlet North takes in the eastern half of town, along the Hudson Bay waterfront. Much of downtown is here, including the post office, a restaurant and the Siniktarvik Hotel.

The constituency also includes Chesterfield Inlet (pop. 435).

Local recurring issues include vandalism and traffic violations, which have often led to collisions.

In this constituency, Albert Aokaut and Alexander Sammurtok are challenging the incumbent Cathy Towtongie.

CBC has reached out to all candidates with a list of questions in Inuktut and English, as well as consulted candidates' own online campaign messages. The available information has been edited for length and clarity.

Albert Aokaut

Albert Aokaut did not respond to CBC's requests for comment.

Alexander Sammurtok

Alexander Sammurtok is not new to territorial politics. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in a by-election in February 2014.

Sammurtok first ran in the 2013 election, but finished in an exact tie with incumbent MLA Lorne Kusugak in the redistributed district of Rankin Inlet South. 

A judicial recount confirmed the tie and they both ran in the by-election in which Sammurtok was declared the winner.

Sammurtok was born in Chesterfield Inlet, before moving to Rankin Inlet where he finished high school and then received his Red Seal certification for plumbing at Arctic College.

Sammurtok has worked as a Hudson Bay company manager, a co-operative association manager, Government of Nunavut maintenance service coordinator, the Community and Government Services director for the Baffin, and, currently, as the Rankin Inlet Housing Association plumber.

He says the biggest issues locally include the reopening of the birthing centre, the need for a cancer centre in Rankin Inlet and more access for mental health issues.

As well he'd like to see a detoxification centre in Nunavut, and more action on the housing crisis.

Cathy Towtongie

Cathy Towtongie was born on Southampton Island and left Coral Harbour at 13 for residential school. 

She has since completed the University of Saskatchewan's Native Law program, a business administration certificate at the University of Lethbridge and holds a diploma of municipal administration from Nunavut Arctic College.

Towntongie was the first female president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. from 2001 to 2004. She served two more terms starting in 2010, and worked in the justice system for about 10 years. She was first elected to the Nunavut legislature in October 2017.

"All I can do is promise: to work hard, to be approachable, communicate," says her campaign brochure.

Towtongie said she enjoyed being a regular MLA in the last government because it allowed her to speak up on a variety of issues.

Local issues she's raised recently include the need for Utilidor upgrades and a better water filtration system in Rankin Inlet.

As well, Chesterfield Inlet needs a variety of basic infrastructure improvements, including a new child care centre, she said.

Speaking to CBC, Towtongie said more mental health and trauma services are needed locally and in Nunavut for adults and youth to deal with the suicide crisis, which has hit her community hard.