Nunavut’s new member of Parliament ready to get to work
“The only person that holds you back is you”
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, Nunavut’s newly elected member of Parliament representing the NDP, often received rounds of applause and cheers during the all-candidates debates held in Iqaluit. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
Watching Monday night’s federal election results from her parents’ home in Baker Lake, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq said she felt calm.
“When it comes to really big events like this, I like my tight-knit little group, and it was nice to be with family and friends and people that are really important to me,” Qaqqaq told Nunatsiaq News.
And a big event it was for Qaqqaq, when later that evening she became the New Democratic Party’s first member of Parliament to represent Nunavut since 1980.
Qaqqaq won the territory’s riding with a healthy lead of 3,717 votes, or 41.2 per cent of the vote, beating Liberal candidate Megan Pizzo-Lyall by almost 1,000 votes.
Asked how she felt about her win after the dust had settled, Qaqqaq replied, “The dust has only begun.”
“It’s refreshing, it’s heartwarming, it’s amazing,” she said, an obvious smile in her voice.
Speaking to Nunatsiaq News in the early afternoon on the day after the election, Qaqqaq said she had only had about two hours of sleep.
“I was doing an interview this morning around 6 a.m., and it’s been a couple of interviews since. I have a couple more and then I’m turning off my phone and going to go be with my community for the rest of the day. So it’s only just begun,” she said.
Qaqqaq campaigned on a message of promising youthful change, often criticizing past and current federal governments for feeling disconnected from Nunavut.
“The federal government needs to become more accountable for the lives of Nunavummiut and for Inuit here in our territory. And I think that really resonates with a lot of individuals. We need to see change and maybe it’s time to have a different party that holds the seat in our electoral riding,” she said.
Qaqqaq also thanked her supporters and campaign team for helping to bring her to victory.
“I’m very proud to say my campaign was 100 per cent volunteer and run 100 per cent by Nunavummiut. There’s no way I could do it without my volunteer team, without people letting me billet at their place in communities and without people having that belief that I can do this. And I know that I can,” she said.
Although Qaqqaq has secured Nunavut for the NDP, she will face a minority Liberal government and a strong Conservative opposition when she takes her seat in the House of Commons.
Nunavut’s former MP, Hunter Tootoo, held a cabinet position with the Liberals after he was elected in 2015. Before that, Conservative Leona Aglukkaq was a minister under then prime minister Stephen Harper.
But just like on election night, Qaqqaq said she feels calm and confident about her work ahead.
“We hear Trudeau has made promises, has made apologies. How much of that is followed up by action? I think that is something that Nunavummiut, Inuit, Indigenous people feel has been really lacking,” she said.
“So I’m really excited to be working with all parties and all MPs and all different levels and all different individuals in the federal government.”
She also said she looks forward to working with Inuit organizations across the territory in her new role.
And at 25, Qaqqaq represents a territory with the youngest population in Canada, with a median age of 24.7 according to Statistics Canada.
But her age does not hold her back, despite it being the focus of many questions she receives, she said.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can or can’t do something because of how old or experienced or inexperienced you are. The only person that has the power to let you do whatever you want to do is you. The only person that holds you back is you,” Qaqqaq said.
And for the other thousands of young Nunavummiut in the territory, Qaqqaq said her victory sends a strong message.
“Be easier on yourself, be kinder to yourself, and if things make you nervous or you’re a little bit afraid to jump at an opportunity, just jump right in. There’s no harm in trying new things,” she said.
“And if it doesn’t work out, that’s fine, but who knows, maybe it just does. Look at me, I’m now member of Parliament for Nunavut. I don’t let those kinds of things stop me and I hope that you don’t either.”
Congratulations to this amazing young woman.
There are people in this part of the world, eagerly watching, and excited to see what she will accomplish moving forward. We are as excited as the people of Nunavut should be, and hope that Mumilaaq will make her presence known and felt in the halls of government in Ottawa, and, at home.
Jess,
Queensland, Australia
Congratulations, but now is not the time to turn off your phone. you now represent Nunavut so keep it on.
If she needs to turn it off, let her… the world isn’t going anywhere. We are all too distracted.
You now represent Nunavut so don’t turn off your phone, don’t sleep, only eat while you’re being briefed, and don’t even dare think about spending time with friends and family. We like to talk about mental health here in Nunavut, but if you’re the MP, yours isn’t allowed.
Let show support from Mumilaaq! prompt her up, provide all the support she can get from us!
“We need every Inuk. There are 7.6 billion people on earth. There are approximately 165,000 Inuit on the entire planet. We need every single one of us; every woman, every man, every young person, every child, every mother, every father, every elder. We need every one of you here today and more important, all those at home. We need every future leader and every past leader. We need every Inuk across the Arctic and elsewhere. “There is nothing like being wanted or being welcomed. Being valued.”(1) Again, every Inuk is wanted. Every Inuk is welcomed. And, every Inuk is valued. ” Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough on July 19, 2018 as incoming Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council
This young woman deserves a few days to celebrate this great achievement with her family and friends. I don’t think that the world will stop spinning if Mumilaaq turns her phone off for a few hours. Until the advent of mobile phones communications has not been instant and people have not been available 24/7.
.
The next few days and weeks will be very hectic as she takes on this new job and figures out where she fits in to the NDP caucus, and to the government as a whole. At this point we don’t even know the makeup of the Minority government and what if any deals will be made.
.
As the days and weeks turn into months Mumilaaq has an opportunity to do much for her constituents. This will take a lot of work on her part. She needs to convince her caucus to support her priorities, and then her party need to convince the ruling Liberals to provide the funding for more housing, food security, social programs, more action on climate change, etc.
.
I hope that Mumilaaq will be able to stay grounded and optimistic during the days and months ahead. She is faced with a huge ask and will likely feel the huge weight on her shoulders. Take one day at a time, do all that you can but realize that no one woman can solve all of Nunavut’s problems.
.
Just be yourself.
Please don’t embarrass Nunavut as the last MP. People watch and people see and social media is so quick to show elected individual “negative” lives. ᑐᓴᐅᒪᔭᐅᓕᐊᓂᒃᐳᑎᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᓚᐅᕐᒪᖕᒐᕐᐲᑦ.During campaign you were already being watched and it will continue. You have become public property.
I hope you get to ask tough questions to the Federal Government. Get the list or promises made by Trudeau and keep asking asking them until they get heard and actioned.
Good luck on that!
Many of us saw the passion, dedication and quiet Inuk self-confidence shining through and especially the fact that she doesn’t have any history with politics but her strong conviction and cultural foundation was noticeable.
She has “it” and is unafraid to tell the truth. Very refreshing to hear and she will be strong like her land. She should find good mentors from all sub-regions of Nunavut so that she can voice Inuit views regardless of their origin.
Many Inuit took that chance to watch a young person blossom into a star or in our case from a political caterpillar to a butterfly. Best wishes from the High Arctic, and we are steadfast in our belief that she will become a model for the next generation of leaders.
Just keep in mind, there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing especially in the Western political arena. Be wary like a fax, cautious like a wolf, persistent like a wolverine, powerful as a polar bear and tireless like the caribou. Godspeed in shaking the halls of Canada’s political elites.
FAX??? LOL, I need bi-focals…Wary like a FOX…fast as a FAX…LOL.
The expectation level on this young woman is clearly very high. Let’s be sure to keep our expectations realistic. Remember she is a member of the smallest official party (Greens don’t meet this threshold) in the House of Commons with only 24 of 338 seats (about 7%).
.
Her ability to produce the quality of results that align with the goals she has stated and with the commentary around those that appears on social media platforms, is very seriously limited. In a very real way we are still at the mercy of the Liberals. And though the NDP might seem positioned for influence, this should not be overstated either.
Says a person obviously saturated with the Western world’s Darwin’s lies…when has a theory ever become doctrine? Only in Darwin’s case…But I dither.
Some of us Eskimos would love to kick your ass physically but we were taught to be NICE. Some are capable of unbelievable feats according to westerners that are super-human when it is just thousands of years of cultural adaptation and secret clan techniques.
Just glad we don’t have to show our hunting secrets to non-Inuit. Some Eskimos can still CATCH caribou using traditional secret Eskimo hunting techniques and top speed is only 45 kilometres an hour, hence you can trip one up if you run faster.
Well this is an unexpected response. I’m curious where Darwinism or evolutionary theory relate to my comment? Please, connect the dot for me if you can. Granted, my expectations are low.
.
As for physically threatening me, I’m not sure why Nunatsiaq would allow that comment, but then they tend wear kid gloves with some people. Either way you could try to “kick my ass” but you just never know who is behind the screen. It may not go well for you. Still, I suppose it’s easy to show bravado on a keyboard. If you ask me, comments like that show weakness and insecurity, they debase you and do not show strength.
.
As for your running speed, I’m going to say, I really, really doubt it.
Atiikuluk way to go, Arnalaaq!!! Down in Ottawa we’re so proud of you!!!