Kevin Iksiktaaryuk came second in Baker Lake鈥檚 2019 municipal election for mayor, losing out to Richard Aksawnee by 46 votes.

He got back on council due to a vacancy in 2022, and now he鈥檚 aiming for the mayor鈥檚 seat again alongside candidate James Taipana.

鈥淚鈥檓 running for mayor because I want to continue the good work that our hamlet has been doing,鈥� said Iksiktaaryuk.

Born in Baker Lake, he also previously served on hamlet council in 2017 and has worked for the Government of Nunavut and Qulliq Energy Corporation.

But it was his time at Nunavut Sivuniksavut that steered him toward politics and ignited his passion to do good for his community.

鈥淚 like to help people,鈥� said Iksiktaaryuk, adding that his priority is to improve engagement with residents through better communications from the hamlet. 鈥淚 feel like we can always improve communication, just to streamline things and make things easier for the community.鈥�

His next priority would be economic development and developing five-, 10- and 20-year strategic plans for infrastructure, economic growth and social programs.

鈥淭ransparency is an important thing for me,鈥� said Iksiktaaryuk. 鈥淚f I get elected into office, I want to help educate the community on what hamlet鈥檚 capable of, but also what our limitations are.鈥�

There are a lot of expectations to fix problems, but the hamlet doesn鈥檛 always have the resources to tackle certain issues and runs a fairly right budget, he said. He鈥檇 like to keep meeting minutes updated and increase the hamlet鈥檚 鈥渟ocial footprint鈥� in the community.

鈥淢y time at council has been very educational for me in how municipalities run, running a balanced budget and all the different subcommittees that exist,鈥� he said.

Taipana declined an interview with Kivalliq News.

Candidates for Baker Lake鈥檚 hamlet council include Eva Elytook, David Owingayak, Adham Adose, Trevor Attungala, Aquilla Amaruq, Michael Akilak, Becky Tootoo, Siobhan Doherty-Iksiktaaryuk. Eric John Tapatai, Salomonie Pootoogook, Michael Mautaritnaaq and Grace Tagoona.

The municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 23.