Paul Okalik was raised in a community that has survived starvation, epidemics, eradication of their spiritual heritage, relocation, schooling in a foreign language and confrontation with the Canadian justice system.
Currently, he is the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for the riding of Iqaluit-S.
Since then, he has held cabinet positions in charge of several ministries including Justice, Culture and Heritage, Qulliq Energy Corporation, Immigration, Labour, Languages, and the Liquor Licensing Board.
Paul Okalik served as Premier of the Government of Nunavut from 1999 to 2008.
Paul Okalik was born in Pangnirtung, on Baffin Island, Nunavut.
He was a journalist for the French-language weekly l\'Aquilon and the CBC North Bor al Hebdo radio show, and wrote a bi-monthly column of political and cultural commentary in Nunatsiaq News.
About the Author: Louis Mc Comber lived in Iqaluit, Nunavut, from 1993 to 2005 and quickly became captivated by the process of the creation of Nunavut, the third Canadian Arctic territory.
Let\'s Move on is an expression of determination inherited from generations of Inuit, victims of colonialism.
It is a work in progress.
The Inuit\'s long-standing goal of self-government in Nunavut remains to be achieved.
Though Inuit employment in the Government of Nunavut managed to exceed 50 percent, this did not yet reflect yet the proportion of Inuit in the population.
While Paul Okalik was premier, Nunavut developed a civil service decentralized over ten distant communities, built much-needed infrastructures and provided more affordable housing.
Education and training was crucial if Inuit wanted to play a determining role in decision-making.
The new government was challenged on all fronts.
After ten years in Ottawa universities, he was called to the Northwest Territories Bar and then was elected the first Premier of Nunavut, the new Canadian territory, all in the year 1999.
He made the decision to improve the living conditions of his fellow Inuit.
Paul Okalik was raised in a community that has survived starvation, epidemics, eradication of their spiritual heritage, relocation, schooling in a foreign language and confrontation with the Canadian justice system
