Nuuk, Greenland, 18 June 2009 – The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) announced the appointment of James (Jimmy) Stotts as its new Chair. Mr. Stotts, an Alaskan Iñupiaq from Barrow, Alaska, replaces Patricia Cochran who resigned as ICC Chair last week. He was unanimously elected by the ICC executive council at a special meeting held here today.
Mr. Stotts brings to ICC extensive experience in circumpolar and international matters, and has been active with the Inuit Circumpolar Council as both executive director and as executive council member from 1980 – 1989.
After his appointment, the new ICC Chair stated that his priority will be to focus on “implementing the Utqiaġvik Declaration, and deepening cooperation with ICC offices” in Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka, Russia.
The ICC executive council issued a statement thanking Ms. Cochran for her dedication to circumpolar Inuit issues and faithfully leading ICC for the past three years.
James Stotts’ appointment is effective immediately. His term will end during the next ICC quadrennial General Assembly, which will be held in Greenland in summer 2010.
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