Former Nunavut cabinet minister Pamela Hakongak Gross is the new CEO of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. (Photo courtesy of Kitikmeot Inuit Association)
Former cabinet minister named Kitikmeot Inuit Association CEO
Pamela Hakongak Gross ‘excited’ to take on role after 1 term in legislature
Former Nunavut cabinet minister Pamela Hakongak Gross is starting a new job as the chief executive officer of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
The association, which is responsible for managing the lands in western Nunavut and for providing economic and social benefits to Kitikmeot Inuit, announced Gross’s appointment in a news release Monday.
“Pamela has also shown her commitment to the Kitikmeot through her involvement with the Inuit Heritage Trust, Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association and other committees and associations,” president James Eetoolook said in a news release.
Gross was the MLA for Cambridge Bay from 2021 to 2025. Before that, she was mayor of Cambridge Bay.
During her time in the legislature, Gross was in cabinet and served as deputy premier and as minister of education, justice and other portfolios.
She lost her re-election bid last October to Fred Pedersen.
After leaving the legislature, Gross moved back to Cambridge Bay full-time, she said in an interview.
She has, she said, reflected on what the next chapter of her life and career would be.
Gross said people encouraged her to apply for the CEO position — a role previously filled by Pedersen under the job title of executive director.
“There’s a lot of big things on the horizon for our region, a lot happening for the beneficiaries and economic development-wise,” Gross said.
Some of those big-ticket items include mining projects in the region and the proposed Gray’s Bay Road and Port project.
The association is also keeping an eye on the progress of the Nunavut Land Use Plan.
“There’s a lot happening in the lands department and making sure that the regulatory process is being upheld and followed,” Gross said.
Other initiatives the association is focused on include Inuinnaqtun and Natsilingmiutut language protection.
“I’m excited for the new opportunity to work directly with the beneficiaries and work to advance the region in this capacity and look forward to what’s ahead,” she said.
Reminds me of the old mantra we had in elementary school about reducing waste:
Reduce Reuse Recycle. Now, of course, kids are only taught by the ‘system’ to recycle; nothing about reducing or reusing. With appointments in Nunavut and a few other spots (such as the LPC) it’s Recycle Recycle Recycle
Quana Ms. Gross. Congrats and all the best.