Eva Aariak

• Born: January 10, 1955
• Place of Birth: Artic Bay, Northwest Territories, Canada

Eva Aariak became the second premier and first female premier of the Canadian territory of Nunavut in November 2008, shortly after she was elected to the legislature for the first time. In January 2021, she became the sixth commissioner of Nunavut. Born and raised in Arctic Bay on remote Baffin Island, she worked in education, public relations, and human resources before turning her focus onto politics. She achieved recognition for her commitment to education and for her efforts to maintain the cultural traditions of the native Inuit people. Additionally, she operates an arts-and-crafts shop that supports local artists in the territorial capital of Iqaluit.

Nunavut

Eva Qamaniq Aariak was born and raised in Canada's Northwest Territories and grew up speaking both her native Inuit tongue and English. Her birth father, Eric Mitchell, was a Scottish musician and art dealer. Aariak was raised by her mother, a nurse, and her adoptive father, a Hudson’s Bay Company laborer named Aliguq Joseph. She earned a high school equivalency diploma and certificates in education and business. For a while, she worked as a radio and television reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

On the heels of the ratification of the Nunavut Act in 1993, Nunavut, formerly part of Canada's Northwest Territories, became a territory in its own right on April 1, 1999. The territory is the largest Canadian province, which includes numerous islands that extend northward. However, it is also very sparsely populated, with native Inuit forming the majority. Iqaluit, on Baffin Island, is the territory capital. As head of public relations for the Office of the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut, Aariak was instrumental in the formation of an independent government within Nunavut. The government operates on a non-partisan, consensus system.

Language & Craft

Aariak was appointed languages commissioner in 1999—a position she would hold for five years. She stated that her goal was to make Nunavut a model for how multiple languages—two Inuit dialects, English, and French—could successfully co-exist. She oversaw a number of linguistic projects, including instructing senior government members in Inuit languages and translating a Microsoft Windows interface into the native syllabary of Inuktitut, a variation of the Inuit language. She maintained her post until 2004 but resumed the role as acting languages commissioner in December 2007, after the resignation of her successor, Johnny Kusaguk.

Between 2004 and 2007, Aariak taught Inuktitut at Iqaluit's Pirurvik Centre and opened a traditional craft store. Ever keen to continue the promotion of native culture and cultural maintenance, education, and economy, she also served as a coordinator on the Baffin Divisional Educational Council. She was the chair of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce until she stepped down to run for the legislature.

Political Career

Elected to the legislature for the first time in October 2008, Aariak made history by becoming the first woman premier of Nunavut as a member of the legislative assembly. She defeated the incumbent Paul Okalik and another opponent, Tagak Curley, to become the second leader in the territory's history. In January 2009, she made the decision to remove Justice Minister Louis Tapardjuk from office following a leaked email containing controversial comments about domestic violence and Canada's justice system. The decision was both praised and criticized.

One of her first roles as premier was to help ensure that global economic recession would not have a deep impact upon Nunavut's economy. Largely reliant upon mining and geological opportunities, which were widespread and profitable, the territory enjoyed relative financial stability. As part of her dual focus on the economy and on Inuit sovereignty, Aariak sought greater Canadian investment in Nunavut's infrastructure and development of its oil and natural gas reserves, as well as renewable energy sources.

Aariak remained mindful of the fact that a healthy economy is only one part of a healthy country. She also stated the importance of focusing on community cornerstones such as education and health care and curbing the growing issues of suicide and crime. Reducing poverty was a key priority for Aariak. Speaking about her role as the only woman in the legislature, and as minister for the Status of Women, Aariak called for better daycare services so that more women might be able to pursue political careers.

In April 2010, Aariak spoke out against comments made by Canada's foreign affairs regarding the issue of Arctic sovereignty. Then foreign affairs minister Lawrence Cannon stated that Canada should "use or lose" its Arctic territory in advance of any decisions made by the United Nation's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. In her comments, Aariak expressed offense at the comment, stating that it is Inuit homeland.

Despite choosing not to run for a second term as premier in 2013, Aariak did run for reelection to the legislature but lost her seat to George Hickes Jr. by fewer than fifty votes. Aariak went on to serve as chief negotiator for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association's Mary River Project and become president of the Inuit Heritage Trust. In the latter role, she lobbied the territorial government for a government-run heritage center like those found in other provinces and territories.

On January 14, 2021, Aariak became the commissioner of Nunavut. In this role, she assumed the same tasks as the lieutenant governors of Canadian provinces, such as swearing in members of Nunavut's Legislative Assembly and executive council, open the Legislative Assembly, and approve legislation.

Aariak received Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the 2014 Equal Voice EVE Award, which recognizes women's work in politics. She continued to urge other women to run for elected office, despite the economic and practical challenges.

Aariak has three children of her own and raised her deceased sister's son from birth. She is also a grandmother. She continued to operate her Inuit craft shop in Iqaluit and to work for the Pirurvik Centre.

Bibliography

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"Former Premier Eva Aariak Is Now Commissioner of Nunavut." CBC News, 12 Jan. 2021, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/eva-aariak-commissioner-nunavut-1.5870045. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

Gregoire, Lisa. "Madam Premier." The Walrus, 12 Jan. 2011, thewalrus.ca/madam-premier. Accessed 19 Nov. 2018.

Jamal, Meral. "Order of Nunavut Appointees Celebrated at Iqaluit Ceremony." Nunatsiaq News, 28 Oct. 2022, nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/order-of-nunavut-appointees-celebrated-at-iqaluit-ceremony/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

"'Just Do It': Nunavut's 1st Woman Premier Calls for More Women to Enter Politics." CBC, 4 Oct. 2017, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/eva-aariak-female-candidates-needed-1.4321450. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

Kingsley, Jennifer. "Bringing an Inuit Language into the Digital Age." The Huffington Post, 10 June 2016, www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/inuktitut-digital-age‗us‗575b1920e4b00f97fba85313. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

Roger, Sarah. "Nunavut Welcomes Aariak's Return to Public Life as Commissioner." Nunatsiaq News, 12 Jan. 2021, nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/eva-aariak-named-nunavut-commissioner/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

Snyder, Lorraine. "Eva Aariak." Edited by Michelle Filice, The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, 21 Dec. 2016, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/eva-aariak. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.