Nunavut has ‘so much to offer’ U.S., Akeeagok says ahead of D.C. trip
As possible tariff hike looms, premier to tout territory’s critical mineral potential
Premier P.J. Akeeagok is pictured at a February 2023 meeting with Canada’s premiers. Akeeagok is set to meet with the premiers on Wednesday in Ottawa, and next month in Washington, D.C. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Premier P.J. Akeeagok says he isn’t sure if he’ll get the chance to meet Donald Trump next month when he travels to Washington, D.C., but he plans to use the trip to tout Nunavut’s potential.
“I think Nunavut has so much to offer the world, especially in North America – both Canada and the U.S. – on critical minerals, and it is from that viewpoint where I will continue to push hard,” Akeeagok said in an interview.
“We need to see investments to unlock this potential.”
On Wednesday, Akeeagok is flying to Ottawa where he will meet with his fellow premiers ahead of a trip to Washington the group is planning to take on Feb. 12.
The premiers are on a mission to discuss U.S.-Canada trade relations with the Trump administration.
Trump officially becomes the U.S. president on Jan. 20. He has been vocal since his election in November about imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods imported into the U.S.
The president-elect has based this move on what he sees as a need for more border security between the two nations and to erase the U.S.’s trade deficit with Canada.
Trump has also been critical of Canada for not meeting its defence-spending obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Canada is expected to spend the equivalent of two per cent of its gross domestic product, which is the total value of goods and services produced within the country.
The $41 billion Canada currently spends on defence is 1.35 per cent of Canada’s GDP, according to the Office of the Parliamentary Budget officer.
Akeeagok said he plans to continue his mission of advocating for defence and nation-building projects in Nunavut — such as the Grays Bay road and port and Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link — to improve security, help access to Nunavut’s minerals and resources and meet defence-spending obligations.
“I’ve really signalled right from the beginning that, although there’s these challenges that are before us, I think there’s some real solid solutions that we could provide,” he said.
In addition to threats of tariffs, Trump hasn’t ruled out the use of military force to take control of Greenland, Nunavut’s neighbour to the east.
On that topic, Akeeagok said Nunavut and Greenland maintain a strong connection through culture, trade and the many families that live across both regions.
“I know Greenland has sought independence, it’s within their space, and it’s really up to them to decide what their future is for them,” Akeeagok said.
“I don’t know what the next steps really are on what’s going to happen at this point. I know we’re monitoring it closely as well as a country, and that’s something we’ll continue to monitor moving forward.”
Reminder don’t wear anything with seal skin at US border they will confiscate it.and even find you and it doesn’t matter if you tell them your inuit (or eskimo, in American english) just.a heads up Pj
Actually, elected officials can get an exemption to wear traditional seal products. The Minister has been doing it for years going to the Boston Seafood Show.
Actually it would be a good opportunity. Bring Trump some gaudy, but beautifully crafted, sealskin curiosity. Or an evening gown for Melania. Or some kind of hunting equipment for Don Jr. MMPA amended or repealed at the next opportunity.
Why would the nunavut govt open all its resources to the USA? USA is looking to impose tariffs against Canadian products. No different from what USA did in the past: MMPA is mentioned, but it is worth mentioning that animal rights activists in the USA also lobbied against trade in land animal pelts and ivory, etc. that hurt our livelihood.
USA should clean up the old fuel that leached from 45 gallon barrels when these barrels were stored on the lower base (700s/Northmart) division here in Iqaluit.
I disagree with PJ, infrastructure projects designed to benefit Nunavut economically are not a form of ‘defense’ spending.
Really Not Even! You think that building the first and only functional deep sea port on the Northwest Passage which can be utilized by both the US and Canadian navies is not defence spending?
Tell us more about this port, where is it located? What is it’s purpose?
This should be the funniest story of 2025 for NN. LOL
The oligarcy has concerns, an empire, as with empires past have crumbles. The real news network…
with host Max Alvarez, recommended viewing…
Nunavut has lots to offer, and yet, they said no to the railroad at B.I.M..
Nunavut is an economical,grossly, mismanaged territory run by incompetent gn work force,that was spawned fron nlca ,a basket case.where half the people are on welfare,yet with budget exceeding $2 billion for 50 k population..addicts that are addicted to funding,where politicians spend akin to drunken sailors..some offer
N.U is run by clowns who are only concerned about what they can steal. The power company QEC is a classic example of this. They don’t do their jobs and if a worker stands up to them, the worker is targeted and run off or dismissed. Bills unpaid, 0 safety what so ever.
Is this really a good time to be touting the fact that part of Canada contains critical minerals that would benefit the USA?
After gaining independence, Nunavut should follow the movement and join Greenland! Maybe the whole Inuit Nunangat as well! There’s so much potential for local economic development through self-determination, centred around shared values, without looking in different directions—whether it’s Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, or Copenhagen!
Another option would be to invite Greenland to become part of the Inuit Nunaat province to be created!
Independent Nunavut?!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤪🤪🤪
Please, make it happen!
Comparing apples to oranges. This territory costs the feds something to the tune of $3 billion per year and the vast majority of the skilled labor is from non-inuit. Independence would be an outright disaster.
I completely agree. Let time pass; skilled workers from the south will eventually become the majority everywhere, and then everything will be simpler. We’re simply asking everyone to stay home, keep warm, and wait patiently for the cheque to arrive, obediently.
Yeah, I don’t think Nunavut should want to become the next Nauru.
Independence and rapid mining from foreign investment would be good times until the minerals run out completely.
Why!? Start in the Nation first, then if successful in making a difference in Canada then maybe you can consider D.C. before you then move onto the World. Jk lol
Niurrutiginngitigun Mialiganun!
CBC article. March 11, 2016. Read it.
I remember that too! But it was only allowed b/c Hunter was a member of the Canadian delegation.
Mr Premier, before you start selling the idea for the world to extract our resources you need to build local capacity, improve the education system for Nunavut, more trade schools.
To fully benefit from others coming in here to extract our resources we need to have more trained and educated Inuit, don’t forget where you come from and the challenges you faced. It’s worse today and we don’t have the same level of education standards as we used to have,
Things have eroded since Nunavut came to be. We need to make meaning improvements at our government.
Two words: Alaska Highway.
(granted not in Nunavut, but the principle is the same)
Some of the impetus for the Panama Canal was also to respond to the growing threat from Japan at a time when most of the U.S. fleet was on the Atlantic.
Apple crumbles?
Hold on wait! Elect trump threatens Canada with tarrifs and our premier opens Nunavut wide open to US? Is he joking?
Aw geez, sounds like Nunavut is bowing down and trying to appease the President-elect. That is sad.
This is a on going process where Nunavutmiut are struggling to deal with price of living expensive food expensive airlines when is this going to be resolved I’m sure not.in our life time
Why is the Premier going to DC., just like Alberta Premier making a full of themselves. Why not working along with the Canadian government, have the premiers never heard about ” together we are stronger” , or the NU Premier is trying to sale Nunavut piece by piece. Very sad scenario, from NU leaders.
Now, the U.S. will just take away Our minerals 🙁
Around Resolute, copper to the south, oil to the west, coal north of us.
jokers to the right
Now now ..remember “they paid” us to vote …take it
As of today, we have not heard from the new NTI president. It appears that he may be overwhelmed, perhaps he assumed, like QIA, that he could simply work remotely. I think we were fooled and overpaid to cast our votes. Prove us wrong tiktok!