P.J. Akeeagok

Pauloosie Jamesie Akeeagok MLA (Inuktitut: ᐱᔭᐃ ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ; born November 5, 1984) is a Canadian Inuk politician who in 2021 became the sixth and current premier of Nunavut.^[3][4] He was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2021 Nunavut general election.^[5] He represents the electoral district of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu.

The Honourable P.J. Akeeagok MLA
ᐱᔭᐃ ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ[1]
P.J. Akeeagok
6th Premier of Nunavut
Incumbent
Assumed office November 19, 2021[2]
Commissioner	Eva Aariak
Deputy	Pamela Gross
Preceded by	Joe Savikataaq
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu
Incumbent
Assumed office October 25, 2021[2]
Preceded by	Pat Angnakak
Personal details
Born	Pauloosie Jamesie Ageeagok (1984-11-05) November 5, 1984 (age 40) Grise Fiord, Northwest Territories, Canada
Political party	Independent
Residence(s)	Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

Prior to his election to the legislature, he was president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, resigning from that position in August 2021 in preparation for the election campaign.^[6]

Background and family life

Akeeagok was born on November 5, 1984^[7] and raised in Grise Fiord.^[8] His aunt, Pat Angnakak, was his predecessor as MLA for his district, and his uncle, David Akeeagok, is the current MLA for Quttiktuq.^[9]

Political career

Akeeagok was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the territorial election in 2021. He was selected to become premier in the Nunavut Leadership Forum on November 17, 2021, and defeated incumbent premier Joe Savikataaq.^[8]

In November 2024, MLA Solomon Malliki brought a motion of no confidence against Akeeagok as premier, alleging that he was uncommunicative with MLAs and had fostered a "toxic environment" in the legislature. He survived the non-confidence vote 10 to 8, receiving support from all of the cabinet and three regular MLAs.^[10]

References

1. "P.J. Akeeagok" (in Inuktitut). Retrieved April 3, 2024.
2. "MLAs sworn in by Nunavut commissioner". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
3. "Premier Akeeagok announces cabinet portfolios". Government of Nunavut. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
4. "'That boy is going to be premier one day': Meet Nunavut's P.J. Akeeagok". Retrieved November 19, 2021.
5. Madalyn Howitt, "Nunavummiut elect 11 fresh faces to territorial legislature". Nunatsiaq News, October 25, 2021.
6. "P.J. Akeeagok resigns as head of Qikiqtani Inuit Association, plans to run for MLA". CBC North, August 6, 2021.
7. "Congratulations to PJ Akeeagok on your second term as @Qikiqtani_Inuit President. I'm happy we'll continue working together to benefit Inuit in the region. Also, happy birthday!". Joe Savikataaq. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
8. Jane George, "P.J. Akeeagok has been selected as Nunavut's next premier". CBC North, November 17, 2021.
9. "'That boy is going to be premier one day': Meet Nunavut's P.J. Akeeagok". Lethbridge News Now. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
10. Jeff Pelletier, "Akeeagok ‘thankful’ after surviving attempt to oust him as premier". Nunatsiaq News, November 6, 2024.