Language advocate is new commissioner of Nunavut

Edna Elias shakes hands with Prime Minister Stephen Harper May 12 in Ottawa, following Harper’s announcement of her appointment as Nunavut commissioner. (HANDOUT PHOTO FROM PMO)

Edna Elias, the well-known educator and Inuinnaqtun advocate is now the commissioner of Nunavut, replacing Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, whose five-year term expired last month

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq made the announcement May 12, on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office on May 12.

“Ms. Elias’ long and respected career has made her an ideal choice as Commissioner of Nunavut,” Aglukkaq said in a press release.

Elias’s resumé reveals decades of dedication to public service, especially toward preserving Inuit language and culture in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.

Elias is vice-president of the Inuit Uqausinnginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit language authority, created under the Inuit Language Protection Act earlier this year.

While living in Edmonton, Elias established Ekhivalak Consulting Services, a translation-interpretation and consulting business, and founded the Edmonton Inuit Cultural Society.

She has also served as Kugluktuk’s mayor, hamlet councillor and school principal, where she pushed for Inuinnaqtun education.

In the 1980s, Elias co-chaired the Northwest Territories’ Aboriginal Language Task Force and was director of the GNWT language bureau.