Nancy Karetak-Lindell sworn in as Nunavut’s new senator
Ceremony marks return to Parliament for former MP, who joins Independent Senators Group as Nunavut’s representative in Senate
Nunavut’s Nancy Karetak-Lindell was sworn into office in the Senate on Thursday. (Screenshot courtesy of CPAC)
Nunavut’s new senator, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, was officially sworn into the Senate on Thursday afternoon during the 45th Parliament’s first session in Ottawa, following months of delay due to parliamentary prorogation and a federal election.
Karetak-Lindell, who was appointed to the Senate on Dec. 19, was welcomed to the upper chamber by fellow senators, dignitaries, and family members. She succeeds former senator Dennis Patterson, who retired in late 2023.
“It feels incredible, because you always feel like you’re in a little bit of limbo in between getting appointed and the actual swearing-in,” Karetak-Lindell said in an interview afterward.
She previously made history in 1997 as a Liberal MP — the first female MP for the Eastern Arctic, and the first representative for the new Nunavut riding.
Flanked by Sen. Marc Gold, the government’s representative in the Senate, and Sen. Margo Greenwood of British Columbia, who is a member of the Independent Senators Group, Karetak-Lindell was escorted into the chamber.
She took her seat among fellow ISG members, a group she officially joined in March.
Formed in 2016, the ISG operates independently of political parties and has grown to become the largest caucus in the Senate, with 42 members. The Senate has 105 seats.
In the gallery, watching her take the oath, were two of Karetak-Lindell’s sons, Victor Ukkuk Lindell and Keenan James Taralik Lindell, and three of her grandchildren — Victoria, Cooper, and Molly.
She paid tribute to her family through what she wore: a beaded tuilik made by her mother Rhoda Karetak, a qaurut handcrafted by her youngest son, and earrings created by her third-born son.
Nunavut’s Nancy Karetak-Lindell is welcomed to her seat in the Senate after taking the oath of office on May 29, 2025. (Screenshot courtesy of CPAC)
“I really wanted to wear something that was significant for Inuit and our family,” she said. “I used my mother’s Bible, which is in syllabics, and because two of my sons couldn’t make it I put their pictures in the Bible, so I felt they were there with me.”
Karetak-Lindell gave her oath of allegiance to the Canadian Crown in Inuktitut and English.
“I really wanted to speak Inuktitut first in my swearing-in oath, and I felt it was significant to have our language spoken in the chamber,” she said, adding she hopes to continue to speak Inuktitut in upcoming sessions.
Among those who welcomed her were Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos, Independent Senators Group facilitator Sen. Raymonde Saint-Germain, Canadian Senators Group acting leader Sen. Rebecca Patterson, and Progressive Senate Group leader Sen. Brian Francis.
Now fully installed, the senator emphasized her commitment to representing all Nunavummiut and amplifying Inuit voices.
“I’m very proud that I have two Inuit women working for me, so our office is now made up of three women, all Inuit, advancing issues we want to bring to the attention of other senators and Canada,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to being able to do that.”
Born and raised in Arviat, Karetak-Lindell said she was “thrilled” to hear her home community mentioned when King Charles delivered the throne speech Tuesday to open the new session of Parliament.
“My ears totally perked up when I heard Arviat, Nunavut,” said Karetak-Lindell, who was listening in the gallery as she had yet to be sworn in at the time.
“I thought it was just a tremendous moment for our community and for all of Nunavummiut to be mentioned,” she said.
Another shining example of democracy in the Parliament of Canada. But oh wait; I don’t recall voting on this selection…. Do you?
That’s not our roll in the Westminster system
Should it be?
.
“our role” please
Ah yes, the senate. That golden prize for the party faithful and the right ticks in the boxes. Can anyone name even one accomplishment that this parliamentary body has achieved that has made life better for Canadians?
Yes but Nancy never accomplished much either so she’ll fit right in.
I have all ways wanted to be a senator , all expense paid life style
Trudeau appointed 85 of the currently serving senators who are not accountable to the public, lovely, eh?
Governor General appointed by Trudeau with no vote from the public or parliamentary approval.
Judicicary. Trudeau appointed 860 of the 984 federal judges across Canada, 87%. (GG gave the final OK nod.)
Nor are judges accountable to the public, cannot be removed by the public and serve until age 75.
To change this, to give the power to the people, the constitution would need to be opened and changed. To have an elected senate, accountable to the public, and ditto for GG and judiciary. Do you think hell would freeze over before Ontario and Quebec would allow this?
I see you neglected to mention that by the time Harper’s time as prime minister ended in 2015, he had appointed about 3/4s of the federal judiciary and 7 of the 9 Supreme Court justices. The current Chief Justice was originally appointed to the court by Harper. Funny you overlooked when it happened under a Conservative government, eh.
Yes, it’s in our face what is happening. No one elected or accountable to the people.
Over his time, Justin Trudeau appointed 100 to the Senate and 85 are still serving.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed 59 and 16 are still serving.
In the next 4 years, 27% of the sitting senators will reach the mandatory retirement age of 75 and will leave the Senate. This includes eight Harper appointed, which will leave eight on the 105 seat Senate.
Harper appointed seven justices to the Supreme Court of Canada with 2 currently serving, 22% of the 9-member Supreme Court. Trudeau appointed six justices to the Supreme Court, with six currently serving, 66.7% of the Court.
There were concerns if Pierre Poilievre won the election, the majority Liberal appointed Senate would be a monkey wrench in his legislative agenda.
With extended reviews, amendments and delaying legislation passed by the House of Commons to grid lock the conservative, thus stopping the conservatives moving Canada forward.
half a billion a year to run this Red Room, but spending it Canada rather than giving $$$ to the world indiscriminately. World welfare from Canada about 20B? wow, awful lot of freebies….No wonder the “Third” World leaders are filthy rich……..Imagine the kick-backs…wow.