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NUNAVUT - Flags around Nunavut were at half-mast for days to mark the death of the territory's first commissioner.

Helen Maksagak died Jan. 23 at the age of 77 after a long battle with cancer. Maksagak was still serving as the territory's deputy commissioner.

Helen Maksagak is sworn in as commissioner of Nunavut in 1999. She died Jan. 23 at age 77 after a long battle with cancer. - NNSL file photo

Members of the legislative assembly observed a moment of silence last week in her honour.

"... One of Helen's many contributions to this house will remain with us," said Speaker James Arreak in the legislature. "On April 1, 1999 Helen donated one of the bibles in her personal collection to the legislative assembly. As you can see from where it rests on the table to my right, it has been present in the chamber since that day."

Maksagak served as commissioner of the NWT from 1995 to 1999, the first woman and the first Inuk to do so, and served as commissioner of Nunavut from 1999 to 2000 following division.

Maksagak was also active in a number of community organizations over the years such as the NWT Round Table on the Environment, the Social Appeal Committee for Social Services, the Cambridge Bay Housing Association Board, and the Drug and Alcohol Management Board for the Kitikmeot.

"Helen was always there to provide generous support and advice as a friend and mentor," said Keith Peterson, MLA for Maksagak's home community of Cambridge Bay. "She was a strong community leader who dedicated herself to public service and she raised the bar for all of Nunavut's current and future leaders."

Former premier Paul Okalik spoke to the legislative assembly about his personal friendship with Maksagak and her family.

"To all of her children, you are like my brothers and sisters and I will definitely miss your mom," he said in Inuktitut. "I will definitely miss her great baking as she baked some great goods and I went for tea at her house. My thoughts and prayers are with you and for all of Nunavut."

Maksagak received the Order of Canada in 2002 and held an honorary doctorate degree from Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia.