Leading Nunavut into SA国际影视传媒渢he largest land transfer in Canadian history,SA国际影视传媒� Premier P.J. Akeeagok did not rise into this role by chance.
Born and raised in Grise Fiord, Akeeagok has fond memories of the smallest and northernmost community in the territory.
SA国际影视传媒淚 often felt we were forgotten, even though looking back at history, through the federal governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 forced relocation over sovereignty, and just [the] significant sacrifice families had made, including mine, for the [Canadian] flag that I see behind me here,SA国际影视传媒� he said in his office. SA国际影视传媒淪o when you look at the history of what Inuit and Nunavummiut have sacrificed from history, that really gave me the pride to see this [devolution] agreement because it really allows, for once, Nunavummiut to make the final decision on their future.
SA国际影视传媒淛ust on the impact it has to this moment, I just recently went over to Chesterfield Inlet and met high school students, and just the bright stars in their eyes. I saw a lot of students wanting to participate and do big things in their community, and in the territory. Really, this agreement allows us to plan for their future, and [the Jan. 18 devolution] announcement is really for the youth that I saw there.
SA国际影视传媒淪o from that personal viewpoint, it does give me so much hope, it gives me a sense of contentedness, knowing that someday, one of the youth that ISA国际影视传媒檝e come across in these high schools will sit here in this legislature and make a final decision on a mining project thatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening in the territory, not someone who lives in Ottawa that has no reality of Nunavut, or has no connection to what impact that decision will have,SA国际影视传媒� the premier said.
When Akeeagok was a child in Grise Fiord, he recalls SA国际影视传媒渁lways being busy. ISA国际影视传媒檝e always believed in doing something and contributing back to the community. You can ask anybody in Grise FiordSA国际影视传媒� I always valued education. When I was four years old, I snuck into the school. I was sitting at one of the desks, and the teacher told me, unfortunately, SA国际影视传媒榊ou canSA国际影视传媒檛 be hereSA国际影视传媒� because I was actually holding onto the desk. I always knew from an early age that education is our gateway to do some things, from early on I really felt that. I had many jobs growing up in the community, endless opportunitySA国际影视传媒� I always wanted to be a water truck driver. When you live in a small community, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 an incredible opportunity where youSA国际影视传媒檙e providing an essential service, so that was my ambition growing up, but obviously that evolved into other things.
When it comes to the course that set him on his political path, Akeeagok says, SA国际影视传媒淲hat really started it was when I went to Nunatta Sunakkutaangit [museum]. I really didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know the history of how we got hereSA国际影视传媒� in 1999 [when Nunavut became a territory] I was a Junior Ranger at the time. There was a big ceremony happening in Iqaluit.
SA国际影视传媒淚 knew there was something big happening, because there was that sense of excitement, that sense of hopeSA国际影视传媒� at that moment, we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 realize what it was. I went to Nunatta Sunakkutaangit and there I was very blessed to learn the history, the sacrifices, of what weSA国际影视传媒檙e celebrating here nowSA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檙e very lucky that many of the leaders are right here. I look to [them] to be able to hear the story of what vision they had for usSA国际影视传媒� but thatSA国际影视传媒檚 where the fire, the spark started for me to continue that Nunavut dream, and that vision to Nunavut.SA国际影视传媒�
Beyond his various jobs in NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 smallest community, Akeeagok began to climb the political ladder with summer internships that later led to promotions within various organizations.
SA国际影视传媒淧rior to to being premier, I had the honour of serving at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), as the president there for two termsSA国际影视传媒� I served as board member for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), which is a party to these negotiations. So, early on, since 2015, ISA国际影视传媒檝e been directly involved in the devolution file. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 one in which ISA国际影视传媒檝e been a strong supporter, where I do see a huge opportunity, and I have so much faith in Nunavummiut being able to take on this responsibility. So right from when I had been elected to the QIASA国际影视传媒� over a decade ago is when that work started, so ISA国际影视传媒檝e been very privileged to see that work evolve over the different key milestones weSA国际影视传媒檝e gone through.
SA国际影视传媒淪ince I became premier, ISA国际影视传媒檝e been really involved. I see this as an opportunity that rests with the [premierSA国际影视传媒榮 office], so any chance ISA国际影视传媒檝e had with the bilateral [discussions] ISA国际影视传媒檝e had with the prime minister, ISA国际影视传媒檝e signalled the importance. ISA国际影视传媒檝e met with my team many, many times to see this succeed. ISA国际影视传媒檝e been very privileged to be here, but I look back to the people who started the process, and who had that strong vision that someday weSA国际影视传媒檒l get there.
SA国际影视传媒淏ut it does take a lot of work. It does take a great deal of attention that you have to put in to get it to that finish line. But I feel very proud to have played a small role.
SA国际影视传媒淪o as we look back at this very important moment, I look back atSA国际影视传媒he Elders who really had that patience, and that bold visionSA国际影视传媒� and really looking at the resources that are here, whether itSA国际影视传媒檚 sustainable, or non-renewable in this case, and looking at devolution SA国际影视传媒� looking at us to be able to build that foundation for our territory is so excitingSA国际影视传媒� ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the last jurisdiction for Canada to sign off on that agreement. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e focused on that for many years, weSA国际影视传媒檝e learned from experiences, but weSA国际影视传媒檙e ready. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e ready to take on that responsibility, weSA国际影视传媒檙e ready to pull up our sleeves and get to work. So every conversation ISA国际影视传媒檝e had [with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau] has been very positive, and very mutually beneficial from leader to leaderSA国际影视传媒hen I look at the agreement, when Nunavut succeeds, Canada succeeds, and I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 important that we realize that. The next three years are crucial to see that we do succeed, but I feel that weSA国际影视传媒檝e been given the opportunity to get the necessary resources.
SA国际影视传媒淭he hard work is obviously before us, but I have full confidence that weSA国际影视传媒檒l be able to get through any challengeSA国际影视传媒� talking [with] the former negotiators, the visionaries SA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檙e very fortunate to have living forefathers who were instrumental to where we are right now, and the sacrifices that they made to give us an opportunity.
SA国际影视传媒淎rguably the important work will start immediately, which is obviously the drafting of legislation, itSA国际影视传媒檚 the transfer of assets, itSA国际影视传媒檚 the transfer of the human resources to ensure that the continuity occurs for us to manage the resources that are here in Nunavut. So thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of work ahead of us, but I think todaySA国际影视传媒檚 about celebrating the historic moment.SA国际影视传媒�
