Q. Cathy Towtongie is a Canadian Inuk politician from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2017 general election to represent the electoral district of Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet.[1]
Cathy Towtongie | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut | |
| In office October 30, 2017 – September 20, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Sammurtok |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Sammurtok |
| Constituency | Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet |
| Personal details | |
| Residence(s) | Rankin Inlet, Nunavut |
Prior to her election to the legislature, Towtongie served two terms as president of Nunavut Tunngavik from 2001 to 2004 and from 2010 to 2016.[2] In this role, she faced criticism when she publicly objected to Iqaluit City Council's decision to raise a rainbow flag during the 2014 Winter Olympics in protest against the Russian gay propaganda law.[3]
In 2020 she faced further criticism when she objected to the use of the word two-spirit in a motion on missing and murdered Indigenous women by fellow MLA Elisapee Sheutiapik, arguing that the concept was not a part of Inuit culture.[4] The criticism included an open letter from actress Anna Lambe, calling on the legislature to censure Towtongie for her comments.[5] In 2021, just a few days before the commencement of the 2021 Nunavut general election campaign, Towtongie criticized the clothing manufacturer Canada Goose for its decision to stop using natural fur in its products.[6]
Towtongie was defeated in the 2021 election by Alexander Sammurtok.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Voters cast ballots in Nunavut election". Canadian Press via CTV News, October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Former Nunavut Inuit leader plans run in Oct. 30 territorial election". Nunatsiaq News. June 23, 2017. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017.
- ^ Rogers, Sarah (March 6, 2014). "NTI president won't apologize for comments about Iqaluit's rainbow flag". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ Emma Tranter, "Nunavut MLA called out for statement about ‘two-spirit’". Nunatsiaq News, March 9, 2020.
- ^ "Towtongie reignites controversy over two-spirited people’s acceptance in Inuit culture". Nunavut News, March 7, 2020.
- ^ Derek Neary, "Towtongie slams Canada Goose for removing natural fur from products". Northern News Services, September 15, 2021.
- ^ Derek Neary, "Two judicial recounts required in Nunavut territorial election". Northern News Services, October 25, 2021.
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