Paul Quassa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Quassa
MLA
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| 4th Premier of Nunavut | |
| In office November 21, 2017 – June 14, 2018 |
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| Commissioner | Nellie Kusugak |
| Preceded by | Peter Taptuna |
| Succeeded by | Joe Savikataaq |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Aggu |
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| In office October 28, 2013 – August 13, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | district created |
| Succeeded by | Joanna Quassa |
| 11th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut | |
| In office February 26, 2020 – August 13, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Simeon Mikkungwak |
| Succeeded by | Tony Akoak |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 12, 1952 Igloolik, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut) |
| Political party | non-partisan consensus government |
| Relatives | Joanna Quassa (sister in-law) |
| Occupation | Indigenous land claims negotiator, journalist and MLA in Nunavut |
Paul Aarulaaq Quassa was born on January 12, 1952. He is a Canadian politician who served as the fourth Premier of Nunavut from November 2017 to June 2018. He was also a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (MLA) for the area of Aggu. He held this position from 2013 until 2021.
As an Inuk, Paul Quassa became involved in Inuit politics when he was 20 years old. He was one of the main people who helped create the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. This important agreement led to the creation of the territory of Nunavut.
Early Life and Education
Paul Quassa was born in Manitok, which was a hunting camp near Igloolik. He was born in an igloo. For the first few years of his life, he lived in what he called "the Inuit traditional way of life." He was part of the last generation to grow up this way.
When he was six years old, he went to a residential school in Churchill, Manitoba.
In 1972, Paul Quassa returned to Igloolik. He started working on land claims, which are agreements about who owns and uses land. In the early 1990s, he became the president of the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut.
He was one of the key people who negotiated the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. This agreement was very important because it led to the establishment of Nunavut as a new territory. Paul Quassa also worked as a journalist. He worked for CBC North, the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, and Isuma Productions.
Political Career
Paul Quassa was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2013 election. He represented the area known as Aggu. During the 4th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, he served as the Minister of Education.
As Education Minister, he tried to introduce education in two languages, English and Inuktitut, in schools. He was re-elected in the 2017 election. After this, he was chosen to be the Premier of Nunavut. This selection happened at the Nunavut Leadership Forum, which is part of Nunavut's consensus government system.
Changes in Leadership
On June 14, 2018, Paul Quassa was no longer the Premier. The members of the Legislative Assembly voted, and he lost a vote of no confidence. This means that most of the members decided they wanted a new leader.
He was replaced as Premier by Joe Savikataaq, who had been the deputy premier.
On February 26, 2020, Paul Quassa was chosen for a new role. He became the new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The Speaker is like a referee who makes sure meetings run smoothly. He did not run for re-election in 2021.
