Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Nov 14/05) - Helen Mamayaok Maksagak of Cambridge Bay is in for another round in the government ring. She was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut on Nov. 8.

Helen Maksagak: named deputy commissioner of Nunavut on Nov. 8.

Maksagak was Nunavut's first Commissioner from 1999-2000. From 1994 to 1999 she was the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and for the two years before that she was Deputy Commissioner of the NWT.

"I didn't think I was going to get into this again. I thought I was finished," said Maksagak.

"I'm pleased and surprised that I'm a deputy commissioner again. It's going to be nice, and once in awhile I get to see people in the different communities."

Her appointment was made by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Andy Scott and Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell.

They did not formally consider anybody else for the position, said Scott's press secretary Campbell Morrison. Maksagak's appointment was a natural choice because of her experience in community service and as commissioner, he said.

"It didn't really enter in their consideration to consider somebody new. They selected her quite quickly," said Morrison. "The minister has full confidence in the appointment."

Maksagak, who was born April 15, 1931, in Bernard Harbour between Coppermine and Holman, spent her early years in Tuktoyaktuk before moving to Cambridge Bay in 1961 with her husband John.

She worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was a community worker and manager of the community transient centre.

Maksagak has served on many boards including the drug and alcohol management board for Kitikmeot region.