P.J. Akeeagok

P.J. Akeeagok
ᐱᔭᐃ ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ
P.J. Akeeagok in 2024
6th Premier of Nunavut
In office
November 19, 2021[1] – November 20, 2025
Commissioner
Deputy
Preceded byJoe Savikataaq
Succeeded byJohn Main
Member of the
Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu
In office
October 25, 2021[1] – September 22, 2025
Preceded byPat Angnakak
Succeeded byDavid Akeeagok
Personal details
BornPauloosie Jamesie Ageeagok
(1984-11-05) November 5, 1984
PartyIndependent

Pauloosie Jamesie Akeeagok (Inuktitut: ᐱᔭᐃ ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖅ;[2] born November 5, 1984) is a Canadian Inuk politician who served as the sixth premier of Nunavut from 2021 to 2025.[3][4] He was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2021 Nunavut general election.[5] He represented the electoral district of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu from 2021 to 2025.

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, was his successor as MLA for his district, and former MLA for Quttiktuq.[9] He is a grandson of Anglican priest Michael Gardener.[10]

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]

On January 18, 2024, the federal and territorial governments signed the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement; it gives the government of Nunavut control over the territory's land and resources. It is the largest land transfer in Canada's history.[11][12] 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.[13] In 2025, he signed agreements with other provinces and territories to reduce interprovincial trade barriers in the midst of the United States trade war with Canada.[14][15]

On July 8, 2025, Akeeagok announced that he would not be running for re-election.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b "MLAs sworn in by Nunavut commissioner". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "P.J. Akeeagok" (in Inuktitut). Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  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. ^ a b 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. ^ George, Jane (August 29, 2020). "Beloved Nunavut minister tells his story in "Called to the Arctic"". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  11. ^ https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2024/01/18/government-canada-government-nunavut-nunavut-tunngavik
  12. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavut-trudeau-sign-devolution-argreement-1.7086272
  13. ^ Jeff Pelletier, "Akeeagok ‘thankful’ after surviving attempt to oust him as premier". Nunatsiaq News, November 6, 2024.
  14. ^ https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1006222/ontario-signs-new-free-trade-agreements-with-british-columbia-and-canadas-three-territories
  15. ^ https://yukon.ca/en/news/territorial-governments-sign-memorandum-understanding-towards-creating-territorial-trade-zone
  16. ^ Akeeagok, PJ. "A Message to the People of Nunavut". Retrieved 9 July 2025.