IRC Chair Election

Nellie Cournoyea Elected IRC Chair

INUVIK, NT (January 16, 2006) - Nellie Cournoyea (Tuktoyaktuk) is the returning Chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). She received more votes than Patrick Gruben (Tuktoyaktuk).

Nellie Cournoyea - 33 votes
Patrick Gruben - 8 votes

The election of the IRC Chair was held today in each of the Community Corporations (Aklavik, Holman, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk). The 42 directors of the Comunity Corporations voted in this election. (Note: There is one vacant seat at the Aklavik Community Corporation.)

Ms. Cournoyea was first elected as Chair of IRC in January 1996. This will be her sixth two-year term. She is the former Premier of the Northwest Territories and one of the original negotiators and signatories of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.

The Chair of IRC is elected for a two-year term and has the responsibility of administering the benefits received by the Inuvialuit under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.