Derek Rasmussen

Who is Derek Rasmussen?

Derek Rasmussen is a former senior policy advisor for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the elected body representing the Inuit of the independent Territory of Nunavut in the Canadian Arctic.

In this capacity, he advised Inuit on social, economic and educational policies.

In his "Qallunology, A Pedagogy for the Oppressor," he describes how:

"I once represented the Baffin Region Chamber of Commerce before a parliamentary committee studying chemicals in the environment. The committee chair asked: 'Why are you the only Chamber demanding tighter restrictions? To summarize our answer: other Chambers have chemical producers as their membership; we have chemical products in our membership."

He lived in Iqaluit, Nunavut, for twelve years.

Rasmussen is also a peace activist and meditation teacher. He and Julia McCoy co-founded one of the first East Timor groups in Canada.