Paul Okalik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Okalik
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| ᐹᓪ ᐅᑲᓕᖅ | |
Okalik in January 2001
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| 6th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly | |
| In office November 4, 2010 – April 6, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | James Arreak |
| Succeeded by | Hunter Tootoo |
| 1st Premier of Nunavut | |
| In office April 1, 1999 – November 19, 2008 |
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| Commissioner | Helen Mamayaok Maksagak Peter Irniq Ann Meekitjuk Hanson |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Eva Aariak |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Iqaluit-Sinaa | |
| In office October 28, 2013 – September 24, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Riding established |
| Succeeded by | Elisapee Sheutiapik |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Iqaluit West | |
| In office February 15, 1999 – April 6, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Territory established |
| Succeeded by | Monica Ell-Kanayuk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 26, 1964 Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut), Canada |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Alma mater | Carleton University (BA) University of Ottawa (LL.B.) |
Paul Okalik (Inuktitut: ᐹᓪ ᐅᑲᓕᖅ; born May 26, 1964) is a Canadian politician from Nunavut. He was the very first premier of Nunavut and the first Inuk to become a lawyer in the territory. A premier is the head of government for a Canadian province or territory.
Okalik has served in many important roles. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for many years, representing the people of Iqaluit. He also served as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. In 2011, he ran for a seat in Canada's federal government with the Liberal Party of Canada.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Paul Okalik was born in Pangnirtung, which was then part of the Northwest Territories. He was the youngest of ten children. As a teenager, he attended a school in Iqaluit. After school, he worked several jobs, including at the Nanisivik Mine on northern Baffin Island.
In the 1980s, Okalik became very interested in politics and the rights of the Inuit people. He began working for an organization that was negotiating a major land claim with the Canadian government. This work led to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in 1993. This historic agreement created the new territory of Nunavut in 1999.
Okalik decided to continue his education as an adult. He earned a degree in Political Science from Carleton University and a law degree from the University of Ottawa. In 1999, he became the first Inuk lawyer in Nunavut's history. He wanted to use his legal knowledge to help his community.
Political Career
Becoming the First Premier
In 1999, Nunavut held its first election. Paul Okalik was elected to represent the district of Iqaluit West in the new Legislative Assembly. In Nunavut, politicians do not belong to parties in the territorial election. Instead, the elected members choose a premier from among themselves.
On March 5, 1999, the members of the assembly chose Okalik to be the first Premier of Nunavut. He officially took office on April 1, 1999, the same day the territory of Nunavut was created. He was re-elected as premier in 2004 and served for almost ten years.
Goals as Premier
As premier, one of Okalik's main goals was to help Nunavut's economy grow. At the time, most of the territory's money came from the Canadian federal government. Okalik believed Nunavut could become more self-sufficient. He saw great potential in resources like diamonds, as well as in Inuit art and tourism.
After his time as premier, Okalik remained an important political figure. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in 2010. He later returned to the assembly in 2013 as the member for the new district of Iqaluit-Sinaa and served as Minister of Justice.
In 2016, Okalik resigned from his cabinet position. He felt the government should focus more on health and wellness programs for the community. He believed these support systems were very important for the people of Nunavut.
Major Accomplishments
During Okalik's time as premier, the new government of Nunavut achieved many things. It was a time of building and creating new systems for the territory.
Housing and Schools
The government started building new public housing to help with overcrowding in communities. It also made a huge investment in schools. Nearly every community in Nunavut received a new or upgraded school during this time. More support was given to students and teachers, and new programs were created, like one for registered nurses.
Health and Culture
New hospitals and health centers were built in major towns like Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay. The government also worked to protect and promote Inuit culture. It supported the development of school lessons in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun, the Inuit languages.
Important Laws
Several important laws were passed during Okalik's leadership. These included:
- Human Rights Act: This was the first human rights law for the territory.
- Wildlife Act: This law protected the hunting rights of the Inuit, as set out in the Land Claims Agreement.
- Education Act: This act made major changes to the school system to better serve students.
- Inuit Language Protection Act: This law was created to help keep the Inuit languages strong.
These laws helped shape the new territory and are still important in Nunavut today.
Personal Life
Paul Okalik has received special recognition for his work. In 2005, Carleton University gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 2008, he received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now called the Indspire Awards) for his contributions to politics.
Okalik has three children: Shasta, Jordan, and Béatrice.
See also
In Spanish: Paul Okalik para niños
- Aboriginal Canadian personalities
