John Ningark
Encyclopedia
John Ningark is a territorial level politician in Canada
. He is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
.
, Nunavut
, was elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly in a by-election in 1989 held in the Natilikmiot electoral district. He was returned by acclamation in the 1991 election
. Ningark briefly served as Minister of Renewable Resources in 1992 but resigned shortly after being appointed, reportedly because he found the position too stressful. He won re-election to his third term and final term in the 1995 election
, defeating future Nunavut
MLA Uriash Puqiqnak
by less than 30 votes.
He retired from the legislature in 1999, and did not seek election to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
upon that territory's creation.
Ningark later attempted a political comeback, running for a seat in the 2004 Nunavut general election
in the Akulliq
electoral district, but was defeated by Steve Mapsalak
.
He challenged Mapsalak again in the 2008 election
, and according to preliminary results, he defeated Mapsalak by a margin of just two votes. A judicial recount was conducted, but resulted in Ningark and Mapsalak each receiving exactly 157 votes, thus forcing a new by-election. In the revote on March 2, Ningark defeated Mapsalak by a margin of 193 to 179.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada, is located in Iqaluit, and is the territory's parliament.The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, on 7 October 2002, during her Golden Jubilee tour of Canada...
.
Political history
Ningark, who is from KugaarukKugaaruk, Nunavut
-Culture:The historical inhabitants were Arviligjuarmiut. Kugaaruk is a traditional "Central Inuit" community. Until 1968, the people followed a nomadic lifestyle. The population is approximately 97% Inuit and most people self-identify as Netsilik Inuit. The residents blend a land based lifestyle...
, Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
, was elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly in a by-election in 1989 held in the Natilikmiot electoral district. He was returned by acclamation in the 1991 election
Northwest Territories general election, 1991
The Northwest Territories general election, 1991 was the 17th general election in the Northwest Territories history. The election took place on October 15, 1991.Twenty four members were elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly....
. Ningark briefly served as Minister of Renewable Resources in 1992 but resigned shortly after being appointed, reportedly because he found the position too stressful. He won re-election to his third term and final term in the 1995 election
Northwest Territories general election, 1995
The Northwest Territories general election, 1995 was the 18th general election in the Northwest Territories history. The election took place on October 16, 1995. This was the last election before the Northwest Territories was split in two with the creation of Nunavut.The big issue this election was...
, defeating future Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
MLA Uriash Puqiqnak
Uriash Puqiqnak
Uriash Puqiqnak, CM is an experienced soapstone carver and former territorial and municipal level politician in Canada. He served as Mayor of Gjoa Haven, Nunavut and was a member of the Nunavut Legislature from 1999 until 2004.-Carving:...
by less than 30 votes.
He retired from the legislature in 1999, and did not seek election to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada, is located in Iqaluit, and is the territory's parliament.The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, on 7 October 2002, during her Golden Jubilee tour of Canada...
upon that territory's creation.
Ningark later attempted a political comeback, running for a seat in the 2004 Nunavut general election
Nunavut general election, 2004
The Canadian territory of Nunavut conducted its second general election on February 16, 2004, to elect the 19 members of the Legislative Assembly.Premier Paul Okalik asked for the five-year-old territory's first parliament to be dissolved on January 16....
in the Akulliq
Akulliq
Akulliq is a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Canada.The riding consists of the communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay.-1999 election:-2004 election:-2008 election:...
electoral district, but was defeated by Steve Mapsalak
Steve Mapsalak
Steve Mapsalak is a Canadian politician, who has served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Akulliq in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. He won the seat in the 2004 Nunavut election.According to preliminary results, he was narrowly defeated by John Ningark...
.
He challenged Mapsalak again in the 2008 election
Nunavut general election, 2008
The Third Nunavut General Election took place on October 27, 2008 to return members to the 3rd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The election was contested across 15 of Nunavut's 19 electoral districts under the first past the post system of voting...
, and according to preliminary results, he defeated Mapsalak by a margin of just two votes. A judicial recount was conducted, but resulted in Ningark and Mapsalak each receiving exactly 157 votes, thus forcing a new by-election. In the revote on March 2, Ningark defeated Mapsalak by a margin of 193 to 179.