He holds the portfolios of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

Mr Okalik was born in Pangnirtung, Nunavut on May 26, 1964.

He began his education in Pangnirtung before moving to Iqaluit, now the capital of Nunavut, to attend high school. During the 1980s, Mr Okalik worked as Deputy Chief Negotiator and Special Assistant to the President of Tungavik Federation of Nunavut. During this time, Mr Okalik participated as a member of the negotiating team for the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, the largest land claim in Canadian history, signed in 1993. He further worked to ensure the provisions of this Agreement were implemented.

Mr Okalik was also responsible for laying the groundwork in the creation of the Inuit Heritage Trust, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Nunavut Implementation Training Committee and Nunavut Social Development Council.

Mr Okalik returned to school in the early 1990s and graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario with a degree in Political Science and Canadian Studies. He continued his studies in law at the University of Ottawa and graduated with a degree in 1997.

He received his call to the Bar on February 12, 1999. On February 15, 1999, the people of Iqaluit West elected Mr Okalik to represent them in the first Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. On March 5, 1999, the full caucus of Nunavut Members of the Legislative Assembly choose Mr. Okalik to be Nunavut's first Premier.

Mr Okalik enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time. He is fluent in English and Inuktitut, and converses in French. Mr Okalik has two children, Shasta and Jordan.

NUNAVUT

The territory of Nunavut, located in the Arctic, is the newest member of the Canadian federation, forming in April 1999. The word Nunavut in Inuktitut means "our land". The majority of the 24,730 people of Nunavut are Inuit. It is a large territory of 1.994 square kilometres which is the one fifth the size of Canada. The government operates on a consensus model, with no political parties and with voting on a simple majority.

Nunavut's lesson that Aboriginal people can regain control of their world offers a powerful message of hope.

Nunavut Highlights In order for Nunavut to have an elected Legislature for April 1st, 1999, and a Member of Parliament and a Senator for Nunavut, a package of Nunavut Act Amendments was tabled and passed by the Government of Canada.

The Territory of Nunavut was officially established on April 1st, 1999 The Government of Nunavut is a highly decentralized government, spread over 11 communities, with programs and services delivered at the regional and community level to the fullest extent possible, while still ensuring effective and efficient government.

· Baffin Region: Igloolik; Cape Dorset; Pangnirtung; Pond Inlet

· Keewatin Region: Rankin Inlet; Baker Lake; Arviat

· Kitikmeot Region; Cambridge Bay; Gjoa Haven; Kugluktuk

· Capital: Iqaluit The Government of Nunavut is now fully functioning.

There are 19 Members of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.

A range of 600-650 Full Time Equivalencies (FTEs) for the Nunavut Government Headquarters Functions has been identified.

The Government of Canada provided $150-Million to cover the costs associated with the creation of Nunavut.

Of that $150-Million, $39.8-Million was been set aside for training Nunavummiut (people of Nunavut) for government positions. The overriding objective is to recruit and employ a representative workforce, which would be comprised of 85% Inuit at all job levels (management, professional, para- professional and administration).

Approximately $173-Million has been identified by the Government of Canada for infrastructure development for the new government. Of that amount, $129-Million has been set aside for housing and office facilities, which is to be amortized over a 25-year period through leasehold arrangements with an Inuit firm. The Nunavut Construction Corporation (NCC) is made up of four birthright development corporations: Qikiqtaaluk Corporation; Sakku Developments; Kitikmeot Development Corporation; and Nunasi. NCC will build, own and manage the facilities, and lease them to the Government of Nunavut.

A new system of court, called "the single level trial court system," has been established in Nunavut in efforts to improve administration and delivery of justice.

Conferences have or will be held to address language issues, social issues, justice alternatives, an abilities conference, and more.

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