Paul Okalik
Paul Okalik (born May 26, 1964 in Pangnirtung ) was the first Prime Minister of the Canadian territory of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008 .
In the early 1980s he was assistant to the president of " Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated ", the Inuit organization to promote the economic, social and cultural welfare of the Inuit, involved in negotiations to meet Inuit land claims for the State of Canada (Signed May 25, 1993 by Canada's Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Paul Quassa , President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated).
In the early 1990s, Okalik earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in political science and Canadian studies from Carleton University in Ottawa, then a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree from the University of Ottawa. He was admitted to the bar in 1999, making him the first Inuit attorney in Canadian history.
On February 15, 1999 Okalik was elected for the constituency Iqaluit -West as a member of the first Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Chamber of Deputies) and on March 5, 1999 as the first Prime Minister of Nunavut.
He was re-elected on March 5, 2004. He thus became the first twice-elected prime minister in a system of government that was not determined by parties, as is the case for the Canadian territories. In addition to his post as Prime Minister, Okalik headed the Minister of Justice, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, and Executive Affairs and relations with the governments of other Canadian territories and provinces such as also of the circumpolar world (Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs).
In the third election of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on October 27, 2008, Paul Okalik was re-elected as a member; at the constituent meeting on November 14, 2008, however, Eva Aariak from Iqaluit was elected as prime minister in his place . Okalik did not run for election to cabinet member.
Paul Okalik was on 18 June 2005 by the Faculty of Law at Carleton University in Ottawa , the honorary doctorate awarded.
He has three children (Shasta, Jordan and Béatrice). In his free time he devotes himself to hunting, fishing and playing golf.
Web links
- Biography (English)
- Government of Nunavut
- Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
- Nunavut Land Claims Agreement
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (formerly: Inuit Tapirisat of Canada)
- 2008 Nunavut election
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Okalik, Paul |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Canadian politician, Member of Parliament Nunavut |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 26, 1964 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Pangnirtation |