‘Father of Nunavut’ to return home
Key figure in the creation of Nunavut has been working to return to the territory for 3 months
John Amagoalik, centre, plans to return to Nunavut after spending 16 months living at an elder care facility in Ottawa. Amagoalik is seen here with former Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and her husband Whit Fraser, after she presented Amagoalik with the Order of Canada in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. Anis Assari/Rideau Hall)
John Amagoalik, widely known as the “Father of Nunavut,” is returning to the territory after having spent the last 16 months at an elder care home in Ottawa.
He is scheduled to fly back to Iqaluit on Friday, according to a joint news release from Anne Crawford, Steve Keilliher and Mark Stiles, three of Amagoalik’s longtime friends who have been facilitating the move for three months.
“The group has raised funds to cover the cost of a comprehensive plan of care for John and his wife, Evie, medical equipment and supplies and support services over the short term,” the release said.
Nunatsiaq News tried to reach Amagoalik on Monday for an interview, but he was unavailable.
Amagoalik has been living at the Embassy West Senior Living facility in Ottawa since spring 2025.
He played an integral role in the creation of Nunavut and chaired the Nunavut Implementation Commission, the 10-member organization that outlined what eventually became Nunavut’s government, which came to fruition on April 1, 1999.
In the 1980s, he served two terms as president of Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, which became Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and was co-chair of the Inuit Committee on National Issues and the Nunavut Constitutional Forum.
In 1999, he received the Legion of Honour, France’s highest order of merit that was established in 1802 by Napoleon. In 2014, he received the Order of Nunavut. Five years later, he received the Order of Canada from Mary Simon, an Inuk leader herself and the first Indigenous person to serve as governor general.
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