Monica Ell to serve as Nunavut Human Resources minister

Iqaluit West MLA Monica Ell, accompanied by Nunavut Deputy Commissioner Nellie Kusugak, signs her oath of office at a ceremony held May 4 inside the Nunavut legislature. (PHOTO BY SAMANTHA DAWSON)

Premier Eva Aariak announced May 4 that Nunavut’s new cabinet minister, Iqaluit West MLA Monica Ell, will take responsibility for the following portfolios: Human Resources, Status of Women, and Homelessness.

Ell, with family and friends in attendance, was sworn as the eighth member of cabinet in the Nunavut legislature May 4 by Nunavut’s deputy commissioner Nellie Kusugak and welcomed by the premier.

Arviat MLA Dan Shewchuk has been responsible for the Department of Human Resources since March 11, when Aariak stripped South Baffin MLA Fred Schell of all his ministerial portfolios. Schell had been assigned the department this past November.

Peter Tapuna was previously responsible for the homelessness file and Aariak handled Status of Women.

Ell said her first task with that council is to get an adequate number of board members in place.

“I will make sure their organization is running. Women’s issues across Nunavut is in my heart, it’s not something new to me,” she said.

Ell, formerly the vice-president of Pauktuutit, the National Inuit Women’s Association, said she is aware of women’s issues.

“In my speech, I encouraged more women entrepreneurs and then that can do a lot for Nunavummiut,” she said.