Three decades ago, Nunavut's premier dreamed of lacing up a pair of skates and hitting the ice alongside his idol Pete Mahovolich, an ace player with the Montreal Canadiens.

Premier Paul Okalik laces up and hits the ice when his schedule permits him the time. Becoming a professional hockey player was an early childhood dream for Nunavut's premier. - NNSL photo

"When I was that young, I pretended to be Peter Mahovolich. I aspired to be a hockey star," remembered Okalik.

But in 1972 in Panniqtuuq, the odds were stacked against a young Inuk making it to the NHL. There were no arenas in most hamlets and talented young players like Okalik were unable to develop their on-ice talents.

"You realize as you grow up there is no facility and you don't have the skills. By my early teens, I realized I will be a lifelong Canadiens fan and I will cheer for them, but I have to do something else," said Okalik.

The 38-year-old government leader is thrilled times have changed, finally. Jordin Tootoo, an Inuk from Rankin Inlet, was drafted into the NHL last year and was a star forward on Team Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax.

"I'm very happy for Jordin that he made the team. I'm very proud that I could see that in my life. It's a special occasion," he said.

A new path During his teenage years, while Okalik looked around at future possibilities, tragedy befell his family. He becomes markedly more soft-spoken as he recalls the tragic story. Quiet and unassuming, his brother Terence developed a dependency on narcotics. He broke into Panniqtuuq's hamlet office and used the money he stole to buy drugs. Though he was never caught, Okalik remembers the guilt his brother lived with. He soon turned himself in and received a jail sentence and a fine.

As his release date drew near, Okalik said his brother realized he could not pay his fine. He decided to end his own life instead of serving more time in prison.

"I could see in his face he wasn't happy. He decided to take his own life. That was very hard. As a younger brother, I was counting the days when he would be released. I was really looking forward to being with him. That stuck with me," lamented Okalik.

"From that day on, my plans were set to try and help out."

Anger gets in the way Okalik found himself unable to ease his troubled mind. He wanted to change the justice system, but he was consumed by anger over what he saw as his brother's senseless punishment and death. He had also never seen Inuit involved in the justice system in a positive way.

"With my personal tragedies, I realized there is something I can do in terms of justice, but I had never seen an Inuk lawyer. It was difficult for me to visualize being a lawyer," he said.

Okalik soon turned to alcohol and drugs to escape his frustration. It wasn't until he turned 27 and became an expectant father that he took the brave step to get sober. Acting with strong family support and encouragement, Okalik enrolled in law school.

The banner years In 1999, just days prior to winning the election for MLA, Okalik was sworn in as a lawyer.

A few weeks later, he became Canada's youngest premier.

Looking back on his accomplishments during the four years he's been at the helm of the Government of Nunavut, Okalik cited the Arctic Winter Games and the Queen's visit as two of the more thrilling events.

But, attending the opening of schools in Pond Inlet and Clyde River late last year is a highlight and achievement Okalik will never forget.

"I went to Pond Inlet in 1999 and I saw students studying in hallways and storage rooms. I made a commitment that day that we will get that changed and improve it. To go ... and open brand new schools, that was special to see. That's one thing I contributed. The students will thank me by graduating."

With less than a year left in his mandate as premier -- an election will likely be held this fall -- Okalik said he plans to focus the government's energy in 2003 on passing the Education Act, human rights legislation and the Wildlife Act.

He added the government is also striving to improve the territory's economy by developing the fishery and mineral sectors.