Helen Mamayaok Maksagak Source

Helen Mamayaok Maksagak, C.M., LL.D First woman Commissioner of the Northwest Territories First Commissioner of Nunavut Born in Bernard Harbour, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut) on April 15, 1931

Honours and Awards: Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University College of Cape Breton (2000); Member of the Order of Canada (January 2003).

Born in Bernard Harbour, Helen Maksagak grew up in Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik, and the Bathurst Inlet area. After being required to leave school upon completing Grade 8, she became very active at the community level for many years, focusing her efforts on environmental issues and improving services to families. In addition to her work as a civilian employee for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and as the manager of a transient centre, she has also worked with the Northwest Territories Round Table on the Environment and has served on committees ranging from local social appeal and housing committees to the Canada Committee of the International Year of the Family.

In 1992, she was invited to become the deputy commissioner for the Northwest Territories and remained in that position until 1994, when she became acting commissioner. Officially appointed commissioner in December 1994, she became the first woman and the first Inuk to hold these positions. Her term as commissioner for the Northwest Territories ended in 1999 with the creation of the territory of Nunavut and her appointment as the first Commissioner of Nunavut. She took office on March 31, 1999, and held the office until April 1, 2000.

Legislation and policy during Ms. Maksagak's tenure in both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut focused on the creation of Nunavut. In its first session, the Nunavut government focused on the fulfillment of the requirements of the Nunavut Land Claims agreement, self-reliance at the individual and territorial level, and the adoption of a single time zone throughout the territory. (Nunavut reverted to three time zones in 2001). Upon Ms. Maksagak's departure from office, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson remarked that Ms. Maksagak had given an "enormous" amount and had indeed made an imprint on the history of the country.

Ms. Maksagak continued to serve the public after leaving politics. She served on the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council from March 2001 to March 2003, and is a Board Elder for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

On November 8, 2005, Ms. Maksagak was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut.

Ms. Maksagak has six children and two foster children.

Suggested Readings

Bell, Jim. "Nunavut's October Throne Speech: Poetry, Dreams, but Few Specifics." Nunatsiaq News [Iqaluit], (October 22, 1999).
www.nunatsiaq.com/archives/nunavut991030/nvt91022_01.html
(accessed August 5, 2005).)

The Canadian Parliamentary Guide 2000 / Guide parlementaire canadien 2000. Scarborough, Ontario: 1909 - .

Clarkson, Adrienne. "Speech on the Occasion of a Welcoming Ceremony at the Nunavut Legislative Assembly." Iqaluit, Nunavut, (March 30, 2000).
www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=1165
(accessed August 5, 2005).

Colbourne, Jeff. "A Royal Representative." Northern News Services [Yellowknife], (November 3, 1997).
www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/1997-11/nov3_97commish.html
(accessed October 14, 2008).

Commissioner of Nunavut. "History of Nunavut's Commissioner."
www.commissioner.gov.nu.ca/
(accessed October 14, 2008).

Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. " New Deputy commissioner Appointed for Nunavut" (November 8, 2005).
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/s-d2005/2-02732_e.html.
(accessed October 16, 2008).

Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. "Commissioner."
www.assembly.gov.nt.ca/VisitorInfo/NWTStyleOfGovernment/Commissioner.html
(accessed August 5, 2005).

Lippa, Kathleen. "What an Honour." Northern News Services [Yellowknife], (June 23, 2003).
www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2003-06/jun23_03hel.html
(accessed October 14, 2008).

Wilkin, Dwane. "Nunavut MLAs Get Back to Work this Week." Nunatsiaq News [Iqaluit], (May 14, 1999).
www.nunatsiaq.com/archives/nunavut990528/nvt90514_01.html
(accessed August 5, 2005).

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