Madeleine Redfern facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Madeleine Redfern
Redfern at the 2023 Halifax International Security Forum
Mayor of Iqaluit, Nunavut
In office 2015 – 5 November 2019
Preceded by	Mary Wilman
Succeeded by	Kenny Bell
In office 17 December 2010 – 20 October 2012
Preceded by	Elisapee Sheutiapik
Succeeded by	John Graham
Personal details
Born	1967 Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories, Canada
Occupation	politician

Madeleine Redfern (born in 1967) is an important Canadian Inuit politician. She served as the mayor of Iqaluit, Nunavut, from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2019. Iqaluit is the capital city of Nunavut.

Early Life and Education

Madeleine Redfern was born in 1967 in Iqaluit, which was then called Frobisher Bay. At that time, it was part of the Northwest Territories. She went to Akitsiraq Law School to study law. After finishing her studies, she made history. She became the first Inuk person to be offered a special job called a "clerkship" at the Supreme Court of Canada. This is the highest court in Canada. A clerkship is like an internship where a new lawyer helps a judge with their work. She worked for Justice Louise Charron.

Her Work and Advocacy

Madeleine Redfern is a very active person in her community. She works as a businessperson, a consultant, and someone who speaks up for social causes in Iqaluit.

One of her important roles was being the executive director of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission. This group looked into how past Canadian government policies affected the Inuit people in the Eastern Arctic. They studied the period from the 1950s to the 1980s. This work helped to understand and share the history of these policies.

Redfern is also known for speaking her mind about the government of Nunavut. She once said that the territorial government felt like a "chilly banana republic." This means she felt it wasn't working as well as it should for the people. She said this shortly before she became mayor.

Becoming Mayor of Iqaluit

Madeleine Redfern first ran for mayor of Iqaluit in a special election called a by-election on December 13, 2010. She won and became the city's mayor.

In 2012, she decided not to run for re-election. John Graham became the next mayor. However, John Graham resigned after two years. Mary Wilman then took over as mayor.

In 2015, Madeleine Redfern decided to run for mayor again. She won the election, defeating Mary Wilman. She served as mayor until November 5, 2019. After her second term, Kenny Bell became the new mayor.

Public Service and Elections

Before becoming mayor, Madeleine Redfern also ran for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. This is like the parliament for Nunavut. She ran in the 2008 election for the Iqaluit Centre area. However, she lost to the person who was already in office, Hunter Tootoo. Despite this, she continued her public service and later became mayor.