Record Number of Candidates Running in LIA Elections

(Nain, NL.) May 8, 2003. A total of 14 candidates have put their names forth as candidates for officers of the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) for the election on May 28, 2003. Five of the members are in the running for President and nine members are in the contest for Vice President. "We have experienced probably the highest numbers of candidates to offer themselves for these offices in the 30 years history of our association," says Jim Lyall, Executive Director of the Labrador Inuit Association. "Now the task ahead is to get all the ballots and other material printed and out to our members," Mr. Lyall added.

The members running for President are incumbent William Barbour, William Andersen lll, Zippie Nochasak, Gordon Obed, Sr., and Andrea S. Webb.

The nine running for Vice President are incumbent Richard Pamak, Tony W. Andersen, Hayward Broomfield, Henry Broomfield, Joe Dicker, Nora Ford, Frank Sillett, John Terriak and Winston C. White.

Full members of LIA, who are at the full age of 15 years, will go to the polls on May 28, 2003. Under LIA's by-laws, only full members who are the full age of 19 years are eligible to run for positions of the President and Vice President. The elected President and Vice President will serve three-year terms. The bylaws of the LIA state that the President shall be fluent in Inuktitut.

Jack Shiwak is the Chief Electoral Officer. He says a Returning Officer and witness in each community will be appointed by the Board of Directors. Polling booths will be located in each Labrador Inuit community with other polling booths in St. Johns, Labrador City, Ottawa, Happy ValleyÐGoose Bay, Northwest River and Cartwright. Polling booths shall be open between the hours of 8am and 8pm local time on Election Day. LIA members residing elsewhere in Labrador and outside of Labrador and within Canada will receive mail-in ballots. The Chief Electoral Officer must receive mail-in ballots by 8pm on Election Day

The Labrador Inuit Association represents over 5,300 Labrador Inuit. Labrador Inuit live in Northern Labrador, other parts of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada.