MLAs pay tribute to Red Pedersen

Danish immigrant settled in Kugluktuk, becoming MLA and speaker of N.W.T. legislature

Nunavut MLAs are expressing their condolences to the family of Asger “Red” Pedersen, seen in this undated file photo. Pedersen was a former MLA from Kugluktuk and served as speaker of the N.W.T. legislature before the creation of Nunavut. (File photo)

By Nunatsiaq News

Updated on Tuesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. ET

Nunavut MLAs paid tribute Monday to Asger ‘Red’ Pedersen, a former speaker of the Northwest Territories legislative assembly.

He died May 30.

Speaker Tony Akoak extended his condolences to Pedersen’s family at the beginning of Monday’s proceedings, along with Kugluktuk MLA Bobby Anavilok.

“Our hearts are with you,” Anavilok said during his member’s statement.

As well, the flag of the Hamlet of Kugluktuk was lowered to half-mast outside the Nunavut legislative assembly.

As a 17-year-old Danish immigrant to Canada, Pedersen moved to Kugluktuk in 1953 where he took a job as a trader with the Hudson’s Bay Co., and lived there since.

He was named to the Order of Canada in 2021, at the age of 86.

He told a reporter at the time that he wouldn’t know how to live in the south anymore.

“If I couldn’t look out my window and see the horizon, I’d think I had been shut up or cooped up,” he said.

Pedersen’s contribution to the development of public government in the North was cited as the reason for his induction into the Order, which is considered one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

Pedersen held a variety of public posts over the years, including mayor, MLA and chairperson of local committees.

He was elected to the N.W.T. legislature in 1983, serving until 1991. He was speaker of the legislature from 1987 to 1989.

When he was named to the Order of Canada, Pedersen was asked about his proudest accomplishment over his 70 years of life in Nunavut.

“My family,” he replied.

Pedersen was married to Lena Pedersen. They had five children and more than 25 grandchildren, as well as many great-grandchildren.

His grandson Calvin Pedersen was also an MLA, acclaimed to represent Kugluktuk in a 2020 byelection, but lost to Anavilok in the territory-wide elections in 2021.

Correction: This article has been updated from its original version to correct that Calvin Pedersen is the grandson of Red Pedersen.

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(1) Comment:

  1. Posted by Condolences on

    To the Pedersen Family,

    I was deeply saddened to hear of Red’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.

    Red was a friendly, informed, and deeply community-minded individual. He had a genuine care for the people of Kugluktuk and his contributions—both locally and in the NWT legislature—reflected that commitment. I always appreciated hearing his stories and insights, especially his recollections of Kugluktuk’s history and his time in public service. He had a remarkable way of connecting the past with the present, reminding us of where we come from and the values we carry forward.

    He will be missed.

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