WEEKLY WHINE

Meet the premier premiers of Nunavut

There now follows a ranking of the top premiers of Nunavut. Criteria included accomplishments, interestingness, and silliness.

1. Paul Okalik: Okalik was Nunavut’s first premier, serving from 1999 to 2008. During that time, he represented Iqaluit West in the Legislative Assembly; he now represents Iqaluit-Sinaa. Accomplishments during his two terms include securing federal funding for the Nunavut Housing Trust and building new schools throughout the territory.
2. Eva Aariak: Aariak served five years as premier of Nunavut, from 2008 to 2013. She was the only woman elected to the Nunavut Legislative Assembly in 2008, representing Iqaluit East. She previously served as Languages Commissioner for Nunavut, when she selected ikiaqqivik as the Inuktitut word for the Internet.
3. Peter Taptuna: At the age of 58 or thereabouts, Taptuna has been premier of Nunavut for just over a year. He represents Kugluktuk, Nunavut’s westernmost community, in the Legislative Assembly. He previously served as director of the Nunavut Development Corporation.