Former MLA Steve Mapsalak dies at 68
Longtime Nunavut politician and advocate remembered as accomplished hunter and community leader
Steve Mapsalak speaks to reporters in France in September 2022. He was in the country to face Rev. Johannes Rivoire, a disgraced priest who was accused of abusing Inuit children during his time working in the North. (File photo by Emma Tranter)
Former MLA Steve Mapsalak has died.
Gjoa Haven MLA Tony Akoak, the speaker of the legislative assembly, sent condolences to Mapsalak’s family April 17 on behalf of the Nunavut legislative assembly.
“Mr. Mapsalak was an accomplished hunter who served his community and territory as a mayor, municipal councillor and member of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board. On behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, we extend our condolences to his family,” Akoak said in a statement.
Mapsalak represented the constituency of Akulliq from 2004 to 2008 and Aivilik from 2013 to 2017. He was a hamlet councillor in Naujaat up until his death, on April 16.
He was 68.
“He will be missed in the hamlet and it will be tough to replace him in the seat of council,” Naujaat Mayor Kevin Tegumiar said.
“He had great experience representing his community in both levels of government.”
In addition to his involvement in politics, Mapsalak was an advocate for victims of sexual abuse.
Mapsalak travelled to Lyon, France, in 2022 with a delegation hosted by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to face Rev. Johannes Rivoire, a disgraced priest who worked in the Arctic decades ago. On the same trip, they pushed for the French government to extradite Rivoire to Canada to face justice.
Rivoire was accused of historical sexual crimes against Mapsalak and several other Inuit children during his time working in Chesterfield Inlet, Arviat, Naujaat, Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet from the 1960s to 1993. Rivoire moved to France before he had a chance to face the charges against him.
“The deep hurt that I have … that I have carried for so long, some of it is lifted,” Mapsalak told reporters who followed the delegation to France, speaking of his meeting with Rivoire as part of the NTI group.
Mapsalak said that when Rivoire denied abusing him and his younger brother, “I responded, ‘You are lying, you know exactly what you did to me and my younger brother.’”
France ultimately refused the extradition request. Rivoire died in April 2024.
Public office is no easy role to have responsibility for, accepting to work for the community and sort through the difficulties. The bat bricks and accolades do not balance and the thick skin is needed and deserved. Rest well & condolences to friends and family.