Nellie Kusugak

Nellie Taptaqut Kusugak ONu (born 1955^{[citation needed]}) is a Canadian educator who served as the fifth commissioner of Nunavut from June 2015 to June 2020.^[1][2][3]

The Honourable Nellie Kusugak ONu
Kusugak in 2016
5th Commissioner of Nunavut
In office 23 June 2015 – 22 June 2020
Prime Minister	Stephen Harper Justin Trudeau
Premier	Peter Taptuna Paul Quassa Joe Savikataaq
Preceded by	Edna Elias
Succeeded by	Rebekah Williams (acting)
Acting 11 April 2010 – 31 May 2010
Prime Minister	Stephen Harper
Premier	Eva Aariak
Preceded by	Ann Meekitjuk Hanson
Succeeded by	Edna Elias
Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut
In office 15 February 2010 – 23 June 2015
Prime Minister	Stephen Harper
Premier	Eva Aariak Peter Taptuna
Preceded by	Helen Maksagak
Personal details
Born	Nellie Taptaqut Kusugak 1955 (age 69–70)[citation needed] Rankin Inlet, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut), Canada
Spouse	Jose Kusugak
Occupation	educator
Profession	politician

Early life

Kusugak is from Rankin Inlet.^[4] Kusugak received a BEd in 1996 through the Nunavut Teachers Education Program provided by Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) and McGill University, where she is listed as an adjunct professor. She has been a teacher for about 20 years in both Inuktitut and English. Prior to her appointment as deputy commissioner, she was an adult educator at NAC in Rankin Inlet.^[5][6][7]

Political career

Kusugak served as Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut from 2010 to 2015. She was appointed by Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Chuck Strahl, on 15 February 2010 and was sworn in on 25 February.^[5][6] On 11 April 2010, Kusugak became the acting Commissioner of Nunavut with the expiry of Ann Meekitjuk Hanson's term and served until the appointment of Edna Elias a month later.^[8] As the territorial head of state, Kusugak represented all Nunavut citizens.^[9] While in office, she gave Assent to bills passed by the legislative assembly, swore in cabinet ministers, and signed off on documents, among other official duties.^[10]

Personal life

Kusugak was married to former Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated president, Jose Kusugak.^[11]

Honours and Arms

• Member of the Order of Nunavut
• Louie Kamookak Medal, Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Coat of arms of Nellie Kusugak

Crest A flower Gules seeded of a woman’s face proper all within a timber frame Or. Escutcheon Per pale Azure and Gules an inuksuk between three ulus Or and in chief a snow knife fesswise Argent hilted Or. Supporters Two snow buntings each gorged of a collar of Inuit beadwork proper pendent therefrom a maple leaf conjoined in base with an ulu Or, both standing on a base of snow set with two qulliqs and purple saxifrage flowers all flanked by waves proper and issuant from a bar of an Inuit tattoo pattern Sable. Motto ᓇᒡᓕᖕᓂᖅ ᐃᓚᒌᑦᓯᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᓴᐱᓕᔪᐃᑦᑑᓂᖅ;[12]