News quiz May 17 | Cabinet seats, classrooms and P.J.’s choice

Time for the news quiz, long weekend version. Let’s play!

1. Nunavik’s newly elected MP Mandy Gull-Masty was included in the new federal cabinet announced Tuesday by Prime Minister Mark Carney. What portfolio was the Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou representative given?

A. Northern and Arctic affairs
B. Indigenous services
C. Crown-Indigenous relations

2. These three federal politicians all visited Nunavut recently and all were involved in North-related issues in the cabinet of former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Which one did Carney drop from cabinet?

A. Bill Blair
B. Gary Anandasangaree
C. Mélanie Joly

3. Several groups were rewarded for their efforts to improve life in the North with national recognition and big cash prizes this week when the Arctic Inspiration Prize winners were announced. Only one group won the $1-million prize though — where is that group based?

A. Nunavut
B. Yukon
C. Northwest Territories

4. The school boards in Nunavut and Nunavik both made news this week for similar reasons. What happened?

A. Both banned cellphone use in classrooms.
B. Both are sending students to the national spelling bee in Ottawa next month.
C. Both reached contract agreements with their unionized teachers.

5. Speaking to reporters last week, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok was asked about his plans for the Oct. 27 territorial election. What was his answer?

A. He will seek re-election as an MLA.
B. He might seek re-election.
C. He’s not going to run.

At the Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony Tuesday in Ottawa, co-host Lawrence Nayally tells a story about what happened after praying to his ancestors for help finding a moose. “We are going around this bend; out from this tall, beautiful grass rose this young bull moose. The elders say that when you make a prayer like that, and it comes directly to you in the way that this moose has, it comes … straight from your ancestors, because you had prayed and you asked for food.” (Photo by Jorge Antunes)

Answers

1. B — Mandy Gull-Masty was named minister of Indigenous services in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet. Remarkably, she is the first Indigenous person ever to hold that position.
2. A — Bill Blair, formerly the minister of national defence, is no longer a cabinet minister. As minister, he visited Iqaluit on March 6 to announce that the territory’s capital, as well as Inuvik and Yellowknife, will host new military operational support hubs.
3. B — Yukon-based Bibia Nàtsät Ku: A Movement to Reclaim Yukon First Nations Midwifery and Sexual and Reproductive Health Care, won the $1-million top Arctic Inspiration Prize, announced Tuesday.
4. C — Both reached deals on collective agreements with their teachers’ unions. The Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Teachers Association reached their settlement on May 2 while in Nunavik, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq and the Association of Employees of Northern Quebec came to an agreement May 9. Both settlements are tentative and require ratification.
5. B — Premier P.J. Akeeagok said he is having “conversations” with his constituents in the Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu riding but didn’t tip his hand as to whether he will or won’t seek re-election as an MLA. In Nunavut, the premier is elected by a vote of MLAs following the election.