Nunavut’s next senator ‘must be an Inuk,’ Patterson says
As retirement approaches, Sen. Dennis Patterson has tribute Wednesday in Red Chamber
Sen. Dennis Patterson laughs as he listens to a tribute to his career from fellow senators Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Senate ParlVu)
In a retirement speech that went on longer than an hour and, at one point, was interrupted by a vote, outgoing Sen. Dennis Patterson shared who he believes his successor in the Red Chamber should be.
“The next senator for Nunavut must be an Inuk, reflective of the population of Nunavut,” he told his colleagues.
Patterson made the remarks Wednesday during a tribute to him. He turns 75 on Dec. 30, the mandatory retirement age from the Senate as laid out in the Canadian Constitution.
Patterson was appointed to the Senate in 2009 by then-prime minister Stephen Harper. Prior to that, he served almost two decades as an MLA in the N.W.T. and was the territory’s fifth premier, from 1987 to 1991.
Pointing out there is only one senator and one member of Parliament to represent Canada’s largest territory, Patterson warned his position should be filled without delay.
“I am concerned that the application process for a senator from Nunavut is not open now,” he said. “There is no way that anyone can apply.”
Canadian senators are appointed on the advice of the prime minister, who since 2016 receives a shortlist of nominees from an independent board that considers applications from people who want to serve in Parliament’s upper house.
Patterson ended his speech by pointing out he is not Inuk. He expressed gratitude to have served as Nunavut’s senator and thanked the people of Nunavut and their leaders who have shown him support, regardless of his racial status.
“[You] have my earnest respect,” he said.
Patterson’s speech followed tributes from a varied group of senators.
Sen. Scott Tannas of Alberta highlighted Patterson’s 20 years of work on the Nunavut Land Claims agreement and his integral role in the creation of Canada’s newest territory.
“His involvement in these events makes Dennis a modern-day father of Confederation,” Tannas said.
Other tributes were more personal.
Manitoba Sen. Mary Jane McCallum called Patterson an ally, “not only for First Nations, Métis, Inuit and non-status people, but for all those whom he represents,” and praised his commitment to combatting oppression.
“Senator Patterson, our time together and your mentorship has shaped me in positive ways,” she said, through tears.
“I hope you take great pride in knowing that you have shaped not just me, but many others as well.”
Yukon Sen. Pat Duncan reminded Patterson of a story he had told her about his first run for office. He’d said local leaders told him he had their support but to remember something important:
“We’re supporting you because we think you know how to work the system, but don’t ever forget we are the leaders,” she recalled.
“Dennis Patterson has reflected that advice and has been the voice of Nunavut from the very beginning when he was part of the creation of the territory.”
Quebec Sen. Julie Miville-Dechêne complimented his work ethic, describing his speeches as substantial and well-researched, on a wide-range of issues. She also paid tribute to Patterson’s style, noting he gave many of these speeches in a sealskin jacket.
Thanks for your dedication and hard work to make Nunavut a better place to live. I wish you all the best in your retirement and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.
I do not know who you are, but you munt be living somewhere other than Nunavut. Denis did nothing for Nunavut, If he had any morals he would have said that our senator must be Inuk, and rejected his appointment. What he now feels that Inuit are ready to represent themselves? Shame on him, shame on you.
This is a tad bit hypocritical don’t you think?
What do you mean by this?
I understand logic can be difficult, Paul, but I think it’s pretty obvious. If Nunavut’s next Senator “must be an Inuk”, then why isn’t it that Nunavut’s current Senator didn’t have to be an Inuk? If that’s the way Dennis feels, then morally he should not have accepted the job, or in the very least he should’ve retired once coming to this ethical realization that Nunavut’s Senator “must” be an Inuk. By riding out his entire term, he is saying that no other non-Inuk could possibly do the job that he has done. He is the lone exception to the rule, he is holier-than-thou.
Thank you for your service sir, a well decorated career in nunavut and wishing you well in your service. The next sen. should be an Inuk, but saying they must be an inuk might be illegal.
An Inuk is preferred. . And not someone too young but with ample experience to speak up . and not only gracious but gracious and works to gets things done.
Someone proven with action and not just words alone.
Luckily it won’t be a vote with how elections turn out voting in those who are unable, non verbal, or unattenders etc etc
I nominate M. Qaqqaq. Former MP.
She can hold temper tantrums in chamber threaten to hold her breath and accuse security services.🤣🤪
Milking the system right until the very end – should have resigned at least 10 years ago, if not earlier.
Hopefully the next Senator for Nunavut will actually live in the territory and not just visit for photo ops.
Don’t worry Old Trapper, Trudeau and the Libs have a wonderful process ready to replace this crucial office now formerly held by our esteemed Senator Patterson: They will have long time Nunavut resident Romeyn Stevenson set up a Senator replacement task force where it is expected that there will be a public call for applicants, oral presentations by prospective applicants, and deep deliberations to arrive at the chosen one. This is much better and more sophisticated than that other primitive concept known as democracy. Putting it to a public vote? Eeww, how could we…. Gross
Come on, I hope this provides some humour on a Friday afternoon…..
Dennis lived in Iqaluit. He met the residency requirement for serving as Senator for Nunavut. That battle has been fought in the press (and nowhere else) years ago, A tired old complaint that went nowhere.
Tired, but no less valid.
Paul Okalik for senator
Absolutely the Senator Nunavut deserves… go for it
A patronage position like this is the only political job Okalik could get now. The people of this territory will never elect him to any office again.
If the next federal government is Conservative, that would prove to be an unwise choice.
While Okalik was always petty and vindictive he did have a somewhat practical vaguely Liberal style back in the day. Since leaving territorial politics he has morphed into an irritating ideologue.
No. But perhaps another former Premier of Nunavut.
“Now that I, as a non Inuk, have fully enjoyed this perk as a Nunavut Senator and am forced to retire, no other non Inuk should ever occupy this useless office. Now that I have fully indulged myself in this patronage, no other non Inuk should be able gorge themselves in it the way that I did!!”
What a wonderful way for Senator Patterson to say goodbye. It sums him up perfectly!!!
The base salary of a Canadian Senator is around $150,000 a year with a few benefits thrown in. That amount pays them to do some fairly in depth deliberation of proposed legislation. That is to say, in order to be a Senator and earn these perks and patronage, you cannot be brain dead.
Any Inuk in Nunavut today that has a post secondary education and just a tiny bit of gumption can earn the same or slightly more than that in Nunavut. A highly motivated and industrious Inuk in the business field in Nunavut today can earn multiples of that per year. An Inuk tradesperson with a good reputation and their own shop can easily earn more than this. Plus, presumably, doing what they want to do instead of marking time for a paycheque.
I am at a loss as to why people think these political appointments are such plums. People can and obviously do better than this.
Does anyone recall Dennis Patterson ever speaking for LESS than an hour?
It’s a little known fact that Dennis Patterson once claimed to have seen a mermaid in the ocean near Igloolik. The story was covered in Nunavut’s other newspaper at the time. True story.
Maybe he IS Inuk after all
When in Rome…
Dear Dennis;
Thank you for your decades of service to Nunavummiut. You made a difference. You have always been approachable, very easy to talk to and we know you cared deeply about the Territory. I wish more politicians were like you and understand servitude leadership:
What is the definition of servitude in a leadership position?
The servant leadership style is based on the idea that leaders prioritize serving the greater good. Leaders with this style serve their team and organization first. They don’t prioritize their own objectives.
Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your family!
In all his decades as a highly-paid politician represented the Canadian jurisdiction with by far the highest rate of death by suicide, what was Patterson’s contribution to ensuring that Nunavut has the suicide prevention measures it needs? Zero, none, nada. Thanks for your leadership on suicide prevention, Dennis. NOT.
It starts at home…..Government can’t fix our personal issues.
How do you teach children about success?
Five Tips on How to Set Up Your Child for Success
Prioritize Education. …
Help Them Build a Positive Mindset. …
Teach Them Social Skills. …
Show Them How to Develop Resilience. …
Support Them in Discovering Their Purpose.
for family!
Pretty rich of the Senator to say this, considering he didn’t abide Harper’s wishes for 8 year term limits. He should have resigned at 8 years. He decided to hang on and go independent and milk the office until the absolute end. He’s been using the E-word when addressing Inuit at public events recently too. Will we miss him? Naung. Good riddance.
Senators are appointed for life or until they reach mandatory retirement age at 75. Harper appointed senators with the understanding that they would resign after 8 years IF Harper was successful in changing the rules to allow for an elected Senate. Harper was unsuccessful in his attempt at Senate reform. That condition was not met, and therefore there was no requirement for Patterson, or other Senators appointed at that time, to resign. So he continued in the Senate until age 75, working tirelessly for the betterment of Nunavut.
Patterson may have followed the letter of the agreement he had with Prime Minister Harper, but he certainly didn’t follow the spirit of it. I didn’t agree with Harper on most things, but one thing we both agreed on was that the Senate should not be some lifetime perk that someone like Patterson should hold indefinitely until retirement. Harper reviled the idea of these unelected Senators like Patterson hanging on to the trough until mandatory retirement at 75. The “letter” of the agreement with Harper may have allowed Patterson to do what he did, but I don’t see Harper or anyone respecting him for understanding the “spirit” of what that agreement was about: ie The Senate should not be a lifelong patronage appointment.
Only race I like is the human race.
I nominate M.Qaqqaq and Jack Anawak.
She can threaten to hold her breath in chamber and he can probably promise to go to rehab.🤪😂
Dear future “Inuk” (woman) Senator,
We see high top leaders pushing hard for Inuit to speak the inuktut language and keeping it alive. Totally in agreement with that!! On the other hand, I know a lot of these hard core inuks but yet, their offsprings do-not even understand one single Inuktitut word! Go figure that! So before expecting others to speak our native mother tongue, make sure you use it at home too. Otherwise, start learning your Inuktitut abcs in both speaking and writing now!
Signed,
An Inuk female
It is a hard reality that our most senior leaders neglect there personal lives in service of the broader community. I know very few people at the top of any field that are stellar parents, and also taking care of themselves. Dropping the ball on something in their personal lives doesn’t make them bad leaders, it makes them human.
ilinniarviit ilinniaqtittilluaqtut inuktituk (It is not only the parents who should teach kids Inuktitut)
As outgoing Dennis Patterson has demonstrated, the Senate is where stooges retire on rocking-chair money. A token Inuk won’t get anything done for the people of Nunavut.
There are many impressive Inuit who would be great at the job while representing the true needs of Nunavummiut.
Your assumption of tokenism says more about you than it does about any of them.
Frontrunners in the Senate race:
1. Mayor Madeleine
2. Paul Okalik
3. Kirt
4. Nancy
5. Jack
There’s no one who wants this appointment more than Paul Quassa.
Eva, will get it
Age is a factor for many people suggested. Dennis was 61 when appointed, and worked for 14 years. It takes a while to learn the ropes and become effective. I would think the government would want to appoint someone who could serve 10 years before mandatory retirement at 75. So that would rule out some on this and other lists – Jack Anawak and Paul Quassa for sure, and probably Eva Aariak. Paul Okalik is young enough. So are some of he others.
Jack has no place on that list
I would like to see Nellie Kusugak for that important role, if not; Nancy Lindell.
Teir 1: Nancy Lindell; Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Eva Aareak
Teir 2: Paul Okalik, Paul Quassa, Peter Taptuna, Levinia Brown
Teir 3: Keith Peterson, George Hickes, David Akeeagok; Nellie Kusugak; Edna Elias
Perhaps you should check out the birthdates of your nominees and weed out those who are getting a little too close to mandatory retirement age when you add the required first couple of years trying to find their way around Ottawa. No disrespect is meant to those who are.
Nunavut’s next senator must be a while dude from outside the territory, who should enjoy the same privileges as the current senator, until he retires at 75, and then he should get the chance to say ‘Nunavut’s next senator ‘must be an Inuk’, before enjoying his well deserved retirement.
I first met Dennis in Ottawa, in 1974, when he was on his way to Frobisher Bay to be the founding director of Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik. We have been good friends since. I have at different times worked with him and for him, lived, camped, hunted and fished and partied with him.
He is a good man. He works extremely hard and is a true friend of Inuit and Nunavut. I second what Kenn Harper says here about Dennis working tirelessly for the betterment of Nunavut. And knowing him as intimately as I do, I can also say that there is no meanness or vindictiveness in him. He is personally kind and generous and has a forgiving nature. He does not harbour resentment at those who are critical of him. He has held many high positions over his long political career. No hint of corruption attaches to him. Nunavummiut can be grateful for his service, in my respectful opinion.
Desmond Brice-Bennett
You know it’s kind of ironic, why couldn’t he have resigned before and push for an Inuk to be considered? Too busy bleeding the system. But then again, this senate is just a complete waste of money really just rewarding people for nothing . If an Inuk is chosen I really hope it is somebody on the listing that is humble and and has their head and intentions in the right place.
Because face it we do have some useless individuals on these lists too.
What with all of the calls to us to never forget and never let it happen again But there it is again in Gaza today. Leaders ought to show much more leadership, to break rank with whomever has their vote and voice when and where it is so needed. Gaza’s youth are not only being bombed, starvation is now being used as a weapon against an indigenous people.
After I have collected the greatest pension possible from this position.
We had an Inuk senator, anybody remember Senator William Adam’s .