Nunavut's new man
Okalik beats out Anawak to become premier of Nunavut

Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Mar 08/99) - On a blustery Friday afternoon in Iqaluit, in a hall packed with elders, former politicians and community members, newcomer MLA Paul Okalik took on political giant Jack Anawak for the role of premier -- and won.

That is consistent with the sweep of the voters' broom that cleared out much of the old guard and brought several fresh faces into Nunavut's political arena.

A visibly shaken Anawak won a spot in Nunavut's seven-member Cabinet later the same day, but not before congratulating his only opponent in the leadership race and moving on in his typically easy-going fashion.

"I don't see myself as a loser. The people of Nunavut have won...the sun will still rise tomorrow," said Anawak.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Okalik, who recently drew a lot of press attention after becoming the first Nunavut Inuk to be called to the bar to practise law, was ecstatic with the victory.

"Right now I'm feeling pretty good, pretty high. I'm just overjoyed," said Okalik.

While he is a newcomer to the world of territorial politics, the newly-elected MLA for Iqaluit West and now premier-elect was deeply involved in helping to negotiate the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement for the better part of a decade.

"I've been around and done my fair share of work towards Nunavut. It'll be nice to be able to work with everyone and be able to contribute my own education and qualifications," said Okalik.

Some critics have pointed to his relative youth and lack of experience in public office as a drawback, but many residents across the territory have said those qualities make him perfect for the role of officially guiding Nunavut into power.

"What we're facing is a real zeal for change," said Dennis Patterson, a former Iqaluit MLA.

"There is a desire, now that this long period of having leadership without political accountability is over, to put a new stamp on things. With all respect to Mr. Anawak, I think it would be a little more difficult for him," said Patterson.

He explained that with the help of a strong staff and a solid team of ministers and deputy ministers, Okalik would be able to speed up the learning curve he inevitably faces.

Tagak Curley, also a former MLA, said that while having an experienced politician sitting in the premier's seat would have been helpful for the new territory, he had still expected Okalik to beat out Anawak.

"It was obvious to me during the last few days...mainly because the public has been wanting a bit of change," said Curley.

"We've done another milestone, a fresh one. It's a great day."

The Nunavut Implementation Commission's chief commissioner, John Amagoalik, said it wasn't so much the desire for change that defeated Anawak, as it was the decisions he had made as a federal MP.

"It was obvious that the gun control legislation that people say he failed to oppose, and also that he campaigned against the ratification of the land claim agreement. I think those were the two things that came back to haunt him," said Amagoalik.

Three other MLAs were nominated to run for premier, but they all declined.

When the MLAs-elect and the Cabinet are sworn in on April 1, Okalik will officially take over as premier and Levi Barnabas, the MLA for Quttiktuq, will be sworn in as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.