Monica Ell-Kanayuk facts for kids

Monica Inunak Ell-Kanayuk is a Canadian politician and broadcaster. She was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2011 to 2017. She also served as president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada from 2018 to 2022.

Before becoming a politician, she worked as a director of programming at the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation. She was also the president of the Baffin Chamber of Commerce. Plus, she owned and ran her own sewing company called Arctic Creations.

About Monica Ell-Kanayuk

Monica Ell-Kanayuk has lived in the Iqaluit West area since the 1970s. She had a long career in broadcasting. This included being the director of programming for the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation. She also worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for eighteen years.

She was also involved in business and economic groups. She served as president of the Baffin Chamber of Commerce and the Nunavut Economic Forum. She was also the director of economic development at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. She held vice-president roles in Atuqtuarvik Corp and Pauktuutit too.

Monica Ell-Kanayuk has always loved designing and sewing clothes. She owned a sewing company called Arctic Creations. In 1996, her company won the Business of the Year award from the Baffin Chamber of Commerce.

Becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly

In April 2011, Paul Okalik resigned from the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. He wanted to run in the 2011 Canadian federal election. This meant there would be a special election, called a by-election, in the Iqaluit West district.

Monica Ell-Kanayuk decided to run as a candidate. She went door-to-door to meet people and ask for their votes. She remembered trying to visit every house. On September 12, 2011, she won the election with 230 votes, which was 54% of all votes. This made her the new representative for the Iqaluit West district.

Serving in Government

In the 2013 Nunavut general election, Monica Ell-Kanayuk was elected to represent the Iqaluit-Manirajak district. She won with 69% of the votes.

During her time in the Legislative Assembly, she held many important roles. She was part of the Executive Council of Nunavut. Some of her positions included deputy premier of Nunavut. She also served as Minister of Economic Development and Transportation and Minister of Energy.

She was also the Minister of Family Services and Minister of Health. Other roles included Minister responsible for Homelessness and Minister responsible for Mines. She was also the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation and Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

In the 2017 Nunavut general election, she lost her seat. Adam Lightstone, a provincial finance officer, won the district instead.

Leading the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

In 2018, Monica Ell-Kanayuk was elected president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada. She won against Northwest Territories MLA Herbert Nakimayak.

She served as president until 2022. After her term, Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk took over the role.

Family Life

Monica Ell-Kanayuk is married to Eeneasie Kanayuk, who is a hunter. They have six children together.