Helen Maksagak

Helen Maksagak
Commissioner of Nunavut
In office
April 1, 1999  April 1, 2000
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Premier Paul Okalik
Succeeded by Peter Irniq
Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
In office
January 16, 1995  March 26, 1999
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Premier Nellie J. Cournoyea
Don Morin
Goo Arlooktoo
Jim Antoine
Preceded by Daniel L. Norris
Succeeded by Daniel Joseph Marion
Personal details
Born April 15, 1931
Bernard Harbour, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut)
Died January 23, 2009 (aged 77)
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Helen Mamayaok Maksagak, CM (April 15, 1931 January 23, 2009) was a Canadian politician. She served as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories (Canada) from January 16, 1995 until March 26, 1999 and as the Commissioner of Nunavut from April 1, 1999 until April 1, 2000. She was a notable Copper Inuit.[1][2]

Maksagak was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories in 1992. In 1995, she was promoted to Commissioner. She was the first woman and first Inuk to hold the position. She served in that capacity until her appointment as the first commissioner of the newly created Nunavut Territory in March 1999. She served in that capacity April 2000.

She was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in 2002.

Maksagak died on January 23, 2009 at the age of 77. At the time of her death, she was serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut.

References

  1. "Backgrounder - Biography of Mrs. Helen Maksagak - Nunavut Deputy Commissioner". About INAC > Media Room > 2005 News Releases >. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2009-10-03.

External links

Preceded by
Ann Meekitjuk Hanson
Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
1992–1994
Succeeded by
Daniel Joseph Marion
Preceded by
Daniel L. Norris
Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
1995–1999
Succeeded by
Daniel Joseph Marion
Preceded by
New position
Commissioner of Nunavut
1999–2000
Succeeded by
Peter Irniq
Preceded by
New position
Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut
2005–2009
Succeeded by
Nellie Kusugak