Helen Maksagak
Encyclopedia
Helen Mamayaok Maksagak, CM
(April 15, 1931 – January 23, 2009) was a Canadian
politician
. She served as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
(Canada
) from January 16, 1995 until March 26, 1999 and as the Commissioner of Nunavut from April 1, 1999 until April 1, 2000. She was a notable Copper Inuit
.
Maksagak was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories in 1992. In 1995, she was promoted to Commissioner. She was the first woman and first Inuk
to hold the position. She served in that capacity until her appointment as the first commissioner of the newly created Nunavut Territory in March of 1999. She served in that capacity April of 2000.
She was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in 2002.
Maksagak died on January 23, 2009 at the age of 77. At the time of her death, she was serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(April 15, 1931 – January 23, 2009) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. She served as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
(Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) from January 16, 1995 until March 26, 1999 and as the Commissioner of Nunavut from April 1, 1999 until April 1, 2000. She was a notable Copper Inuit
Copper Inuit
Copper Inuit are a Canadian Inuit group who live north of the tree line, in Nunavut's Kitikmeot Region and the Northwest Territories's Inuvik Region. Most historically lived in the area around Coronation Gulf, on Victoria Island, and southern Banks Island.Their western boundary was Wise Point,...
.
Maksagak was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories in 1992. In 1995, she was promoted to Commissioner. She was the first woman and first Inuk
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
to hold the position. She served in that capacity until her appointment as the first commissioner of the newly created Nunavut Territory in March of 1999. She served in that capacity April of 2000.
She was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in 2002.
Maksagak died on January 23, 2009 at the age of 77. At the time of her death, she was serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut.