Nellie Cournoyea

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Nellie Cournoyea born 1940 in Aklavik, Northwest Territories) is a former Canadian politician, who served as Premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995. She was the first female premier of a Canadian territory, and the second female leader of an elected legislature in Canada after Rita Johnston in British Columbia.

Cournoyea is of mixed Norwegian and Inupiaq heritage.

Before entering politics, Cournoyea was an announcer and station manager for CBC North in Inuvik, and a land claims worker for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.

She was first elected to the territorial Legislative Assembly in 1979, representing the electoral district of Western Arctic and later Nunakput. She served the government in a variety of cabinet positions. On November 14, 1991, she was chosen as premier under the territory's consensus government system, in which the premier is chosen by elected members following the general election.

Cournoyea served as premier until 1995, and subsequently chose not to stand for reelection to the Legislative Assembly. She currently serves as chair and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

She was a winner of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1994, and has been awarded honorary doctorates in law from Lakehead University, Carleton University and the University of Toronto.

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Life and times of Nellie Cournoyea CBC.

Preceded by: John Steen	MLA Western Arctic 1979-1983	Succeeded by: District Abolished
Preceded by: New District	MLA Nunakput 1983-1995	Succeeded by: Vince Steen
Preceded by: Dennis Patterson	Premier of the Northwest Territories 1991–1995	Succeeded by: Don Morin