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IRC chair elected to sixth term

John King
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 23/06) - Championing the cause of the Inuvialuit people is a way a life for Nellie Cournoyea, chairperson of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC).

NNSL Photo/graphic

Nellie Cournoyea: "...when you're championing a cause, it consumes your entire process of living. It's not a 9-to-5 type of job." -


"Anyone involved in a land claim, or the implementation of a land claim, which is the right of the people, then it's a cause," Cournoyea said.

"And when you're championing a cause, it consumes your entire process of living. It's not a 9-to-5 type of job," she added.

Cournoyea was elected to a sixth term as IRC chair, something that is almost unheard of in the quasi-political life of an IRC executive. She is humble when asked why she remains so popular.

Cournoyea works from her office in Inuvik, but represents the interests of all her people throughout the region.

"I've always been involved in the rights of our people. Since I was a young person I've helped further the cause of the Inuvialuit people," she said.

"We are at a critically important time right now as Inuvialuit," she said.

That's because the consequences of decisions made now will have a long-lasting effect, she said.

"We've been supportive of the Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP), and have dedicated extreme amounts of time to find solutions to issues that came forward."

Cournoyea worked to establish the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project, and was instrumental in reaching an agreement with stakeholders for the ownership of one third of the pipeline.

"There's continuous changes in life and it's a struggle to get the best out of those changes," she said.

As Cournoyea looks ahead to her next term, she understands there is still lot to accomplish.

She relishes the challenge of her position and says she works best under pressure.

"It's the Inuvialuit way," she said, a motto she uses when talking about the perseverance of her people.