NR 06-06 BRA ENG Bracelets.doc
(March 2, 2006 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Chief Returning Officer Patrick Tagoona today announced a new NTI Elections initiative designed to boost voter turnout.
NTI will hold an election for the position of 1st Vice-President and Vice-President of Finance on March 21, 2006.
It is very important for Inuit to vote in NTI Elections. NTI is an important organization because it is the main voice of Inuit. It is the main way that Inuit influence government. Participating in NTI Elections allows Inuit to choose the leader they believe will do the best job. Because of this, NTI Elections plans to launch the “I Am Inuk’ bracelet initiative, said Tagoona.
After eligible voters cast their ballots, the Deputy Returning Officer in each community will provide each voter with a blue bracelet that reads I Am Inuk in Inuktitut syllabics and Inuinnaqtun. NTI Elections is asking voters to show their pride by voting and displaying their I Am Inuk bracelet. Each voter will only receive one bracelet.
Because our goal is to encourage Inuit to come to the polls, NTI’s Deputy Returning Officers in all Nunavut communities, as well as Ottawa and Yellowknife, will distribute bracelets to all voters regardless of who they voted for, said Tagoona. Because NTI is a private corporation, they have the unique opportunity to use initiatives like this to bring more voters to the polls.
Inuit who are Canadian citizens, 16 years of age or older and enrolled under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement are eligible to vote in the upcoming election.
Voters may cast their ballots in their home communities during an advance poll on March 13 or on voting day, March 21, 2006 until 7 p.m. local time. Voting stations will also be set up in Yellowknife and Ottawa. Voters may also vote by proxy. Proxy forms are available from Tagoona or on NTI’s website, www.tunngavik.com.
For further information:
Patrick Tagoona
Chief Returning Officer
NTI Elections
Toll-free: 1-877-NTI-2006
