David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq is a Canadian politician who was elected to represent the district of Tununiq in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in a by-election on September 16, 2019."'It seems as though I'm dreaming': David Qamaniq elected as MLA in Pond Inlet". CBC North, September 16, 2019. Prior to his election to the legislature, he was a mayor of Pond Inlet;"David Qamaniq, 58, to serve as newest member of the Nunavut legislature". Nunatsiaq News, September 17, 2019. he ran in the same district in a 2011 by-election, the 2013 Nunavut general election and the 2017 Nunavut general election, losing each time to Joe Enook, and was elected in the by-election following Enook's death in office.
He was a stage actor in his youth, who toured with the Tunooniq Theatre company to perform in Inuit stage plays.Rod Currie, "Inuit actor has a Whale of a tale". Waterloo Region Record, April 14, 1993. He was most noted for his performance in David Holman's 1993 play Whale,Geoff Chapman, "Whale tale fun and informative, too". Toronto Star, April 23, 1993. for which he received a Dora Mavor Moore Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play (Large Theatre)."Dora Award nominations". Toronto Star, May 11, 1993.
Qamaniq filed a wrongful death suit against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in April 2019,Kent Driscoll, "Pond Inlet family suing Nunavut RCMP after fatal shooting". APTN National News, April 14, 2019. following the possibly racially motivated shooting death of his son Kunuk in 2017.Michelle Pucci, "Deadly Force: Family left wondering how young son died after fatal 2017 encounter with Nunavut RCMP". CBC North, April 14, 2018. He did not base his electoral campaign on the lawsuit, however, instead highlighting basic economic and community improvement proposals such as the construction of a new airstrip to serve the community, and the need for infrastructure facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, a playground, and a community hall.
Electoral Record
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