Awa to move from Environment to CLEY

Veteran administrator Simon Awa will become deputy minister of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth as of Sept. 1, Premier Eva Aariak announced in a news release this week.

“Simon is a strong member of our executive management team, with varied experience and a passionate belief in the strength of our culture,” Aariak said in the news release.

Following the departure late last year, for health reasons, of Phoebe Hainnu from the CLEY deputy minister job, the CLEY department has been without a permanent deputy head for much of this year.

David Akeeagok, a former deputy minister of Community Government and Services, will succeed Awa as head of the environment deparment, Aariak said.

“He has a proven history as an individual who fosters teamwork and collaboration, both within our government and with external partners,” Aariak said.

After Sept. 1, all deputy head jobs at all Government of Nunavut departments and Crown corporations will be filled.