Fun Facts

Premier's Cabinet
Fun Facts

Honourable Joe Savikataaq

Premier of Nunavut

Premier of Nunavut

Honorable

Name:

Joe Savikataaq

Age:

Home community:

Arviat

Family

Married to Susan, three grown children and nine grandkids

Goal as Premier

To bring Elders care closer to home, ensure we are well on our way with an in-territory mental health and addictions treatment centre, and to make sure Nunavummiut feel they have better access to their government.

Goal as Minister of Environment

To use my previous experience as a wildlife officer with traditional knowledge and recent data to make good sustainable decisions that will benefit Nunavut for generations to come.

Tell us something about you that people wouldn’t know/fun fact to seem more approachable

I am pilot and love to fly my Cessna 185

What is your favourite movie?

Any Harrison Ford action film!

Honourable David Akeeagok

Deputy Premier

Fun facts

Deputy Premier

Honorable

Name:

David Akeeagok

Age:

Home community:

Grise Fiord

Family

Married to Carol with 7 children and 5 grandkids

Goal as Minister of Economic Development and Transportation

To ensure that plans to diversify and strengthen Nunavut’s economy and transportation infrastructure are in place and effective for our next generation, and to see real opportunity in our communities.

Tell us something about you that people wouldn’t know/fun fact to seem more approachable

Every year on September 28th, my wife and I celebrate our first kiss. It’s been 28 years, and she’s still my best friend and my rock.

What is your favourite country food?

All of them!

Honourable Elisapee Sheutiapik

Government House Leader

Fun facts

Government House Leader

Honorable

Name:

Elisapee Sheutiapik

Age:

Home community:

Iqaluit

Family

Married with two sons and four dogs. It’s a busy house!

Goal as Minister of Family Services

To be proactive, not reactive. Our work should not be about taking children out of difficult situations, but most importantly plan on how we can support families to have their children safely back home.

Tell us something about you that most people wouldn’t know

I arrived in Iqaluit at three or 4 months old with a name tag on my toe.

If you had a super power, what would it be?

To take away pain and sorrow.

Honourable George Hickes

Fun facts

Honorable

Name:

George Harley Singittuq Hickes (Yes, Harley like the motorcycle.)

Age:

Home community:

Iqaluit

Family

Married to Signi, with three daughters, Lily, Sara and Hope

Goal as Minister of Health

To see more Nunavummiut be well, healthy and cared for here in the territory.

Goal as Minister of Finance

To maintain a stable financial future for Nunavut, and provide Nunavummiut the services and programs they want and need.

Tell us something about you that people wouldn’t know/fun fact to seem more approachable

Retired NHL star Jordin Tootoo is my cousin, and my father, George Hickes Sr., was an MLA for 21 years and was the Speaker of the Manitoba Legislature for 12 years.

Favourite hobby?

I enjoy spending time with friends and family at our cabin on the land. When the opportunity arises, I enjoy a round of golf. I’m also an avid reader -- James Patterson, Tom Clancy and Stephen Hunter are some of my favourite authors.

Honourable Jeannie Ehaloak

Fun facts

Honorable

Name:

Jeannie Ehaloak

Age:

Home community:

Cambridge Bay

Family

Common-law husband, two boys and 10 grandchildren

Goal as Minister of Justice, Qulliq Energy Corporation, Labour and Human Rights

To change policies and legislation in programs and services to better fit the needs of Nunavummiut

Tell us something about you that most people wouldn’t know

The former Commissioner of Nunavut, Edna Elias, is my sister

What is your favourite Inuktut word and why?

Puigitiamiak (love you)

Honourable Patterk Netser

Fun facts

Honorable

Name:

Patterk Netser

Age:

Home community:

Coral Harbour

Family: Married? Kids? Grandkids?

Six kids, 19 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Goal as Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation

Address Nunavut’s housing shortage, promote and encourage private housing rental, and work with Hamlets to build staff houses for their full-time employees.

Goal as Minister responsible for the Nunavut Arctic College

Give more support to community learning centres, work closely with regional campuses to more effectively deliver training programs across the territory.

Tell us something about you that people don’t know

I can’t stand the Toronto Maple Leafs – sorry fans!

Who is your hero?

My late father

Honourable David Joanasie

Fun facts

Honorable

Name:

David Joanasie

Age:

Home community:

Cape Dorset

Family

Married with five kids (Sayri, Cynthia, Qulittalik, Pittaaluk and Pattu)

Goal as Minister of Education

To increase the attendance rate of students in Nunavut schools in all grade levels, and increase the number of students earning their high school diploma.

Goal as Minister of Culture/Heritage

To have more Nunavummiut embrace, practice and understand Nunavut's rich and unique cultural and linguistic heritage.

Tell us something about you that most people wouldn’t know

Prior to becoming a MLA and Minster, I won 6th prize in a birthday song competition in 2014: https://www.gov.nu.ca/information/inuktut-song-writing-contest-2014

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Take my wife to India

Honourable Lorne Kusugak

Fun facts

Honorable

Name:

Lorne Quasa Kusugak

Age:

Home community:

Rankin Inlet

Family

Married, with three children and four grandkids

Goal as Minister of Community and Government Services

To survive! But really, to leave the Department in a better position than when I became the Minister.

Tell us something about you that most people wouldn’t know

I like to do impersonations.

Which NHL team is your favourite?

Of course the Habs… is there another Canadian Team?

Search form

Fun Facts