David Qamaniq

David Qamaniq
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Tununiq
In office
September 16, 2019 – September 20, 2021
Preceded byJoe Enook
Succeeded byKaren Nutarak
Personal details
BornDavid Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq
(1961-02-27) February 27, 1961 (age 65)
Partynon-partisan
consensus government

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. Prior to his election to the legislature, he was a mayor of Pond Inlet; 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. He was most noted for his performance in David Holman's 1993 play Whale, for which he received a Dora Mavor Moore Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play (Large Theatre).

Qamaniq filed a wrongful death suit against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in April 2019, following the possibly racially motivated shooting death of his son Kunuk in 2017. 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

2025 Nunavut general election: Tununiq
Candidate Votes%
Brian Koonoo19450.52
Verna Strickland10928.39
David Qamaniq7820.31
Eligible voters 792
Total valid ballots 381
Rejected ballots 3
Turnout 48.48%
2021 Nunavut general election: Tununiq
Candidate Votes%
Karen Nutarak25955.5
David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq14631.3
Joshua Arreak6213.3
Total valid ballots 467
Rejected ballots 5
2019 Nunavut general election: Tununiq
Candidate Votes%
David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq18251.56
Charlie Inuarak17148.44
Eligible voters 754
Total valid ballots 353
Rejected ballots 7
Turnout 47.75%
2017 Nunavut general election: Tununiq
Candidate Votes%
Joe Enook25850.99
David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq14628.85
Jeannie Mills10220.16
Eligible voters 771
Total valid ballots 506
Rejected ballots 6
Turnout 66.41%
2013 Nunavut general election: Tununiq
Candidate Votes%
Joe Enook35973.12
David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq13226.88
Eligible voters 764
Total valid ballots 491
Rejected ballots 11
Turnout 65.71%
2011 Nunavut general election: Tununiq
Candidate Votes%
Joe Enook28562.91
David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq10924.06
Brandy Kanayuk347.51
Sam Omik275.96
Eligible voters 678
Total valid ballots 453
Rejected ballots 2
Turnout 67.11%

References

  1. 1 2 "'It seems as though I'm dreaming': David Qamaniq elected as MLA in Pond Inlet". CBC North, September 16, 2019.
  2. ↑ "David Qamaniq, 58, to serve as newest member of the Nunavut legislature". Nunatsiaq News, September 17, 2019.
  3. ↑ Rod Currie, "Inuit actor has a Whale of a tale". Waterloo Region Record, April 14, 1993.
  4. ↑ Geoff Chapman, "Whale tale fun and informative, too". Toronto Star, April 23, 1993.
  5. ↑ "Dora Award nominations". Toronto Star, May 11, 1993.
  6. ↑ Kent Driscoll, "Pond Inlet family suing Nunavut RCMP after fatal shooting". APTN National News, April 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ Michelle Pucci, "Deadly Force: Family left wondering how young son died after fatal 2017 encounter with Nunavut RCMP". CBC North, April 14, 2018.
  8. ↑ "2025 General Election Official Results" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  9. ↑ "2021 General Election Results" (PDF). Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  10. ↑ "Tununiq By-election". Elections Nunavut. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
  11. ↑ 2017 General Election. Official results for Tununiq. Elections Nunavut. Retrieved {{{5}}}
  12. ↑ 2013 General Election. Official results for Tununiq. Elections Nunavut. Retrieved {{{5}}}
  13. ↑ 2011 By-Election. Official results for Tununiq. Elections Nunavut. Retrieved {{{5}}}