The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister responsible for the North and MP of Nunavut would like to congratulate Edna Elias on her appointment as the next Commissioner of Nunavut. Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement today.

“Ms. Elias’ long and respected career has made her an ideal choice as Commissioner of Nunavut,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Her commitment to preserve and promote Inuinnaqtun in Nunavut over the years shows her sincere dedication to Nunavummiut.”

Ms. Elias has been an educator, interpreter, translator and consultant.  In the 1980s, she served as Co-Chair of the Northwest Territories Aboriginal Language Task Force and was director of the Language Bureau of the Department of Culture and Employment. She has worked as an interpreter in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.

Ms. Elias founded the Edmonton Inuit Cultural Society and has owned and operated her own interpretation, translation and consulting business. She’s also served her home community of Kugluktuk as a councillor, mayor and a school principal. She was also an executive assistant at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated in Cambridge Bay.

Minister Aglukkaq would like to take the opportunity to thank Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, the outgoing Commissioner, for her dedicated service to Nunavut.