Helen Maksagak

Who was Helen Maksagak?

Helen Mamayaok Maksagak, CM was a Canadian politician. She served as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from January 16, 1995 until March 26, 1999 and as the Commissioner of Nunavut from April 1, 1999 until April 1, 2000. She was a notable Copper Inuit.

Maksagak was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories in 1992. In 1995, she was promoted to Commissioner. She was the first woman and first Inuk to hold the position. She served in that capacity until her appointment as the first commissioner of the newly created Nunavut Territory in March 1999. She served in that capacity April 2000.

She was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in 2002.

Maksagak died on January 23, 2009 at the age of 77. At the time of her death, she was serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut.