Baker Lake mayor mourned
David Aksawnee remembered for municipal, economic leadership
Beth Brown
Northern News Services
Monday, March 27, 2017
QAMANITTUAQ/BAKER LAKE
Baker Lake lost a long time community leader earlier this month with the sudden passing of Mayor David Aksawnee.
A funeral service was held on March 7 for Baker Laker mayor David Aksawnee. - NNSL file photo |
A funeral service was held for the respected resident on March 7.
Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak announced the weekend passing of his hamlet's mayor during a sitting of the legislative assembly on March 6.
"Mr. Speaker, David Aksawnee was a well-respected leader in the community and throughout the Kivalliq. David held many important responsibilities during his many years of public service," said Mikkungwak.
"As a lifelong hunter, David's knowledge and experience contributed greatly to the work of the community's HTO and a number of regional wildlife management bodies."
He also noted Aksawnee's ability to make tough decisions at a municipal level, including furthering economic development in Baker Lake.
"David was a natural communicator who was as comfortable negotiating with senior mining executives from Toronto as he was talking with an elder," said Mikkungwak. "His wisdom and experience will be greatly missed."
Kivalliq Inuit Association president David Ningeongan offered condolences March 6.
"On behalf of the Kivalliq Inuit Association board of directors and staff, I would like to extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of David Aksawnee," he stated.
He noted Aksawnee was mayor during lead-up and opening of Kivalliq's Meadowbank mine, and played a pivotal role in establishing a relationship with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited in the Kivalliq region.
"The community of Baker Lake and the Kivalliq region will miss him," stated Ningeongan.
Iqaluit-Sinaa MLA Paul Okalik also extended condolences, having worked closely with Aksawnee, noting he was "very capable in representing his community. I am proud of the residents of Baker Lake for they had a capable person representing them," he said. "He was a very nice individual and always friendly to anybody."
Arviat and Whale Cove MLA George Kuksuk told the assembly Aksawnee's death was felt in his hamlet as well.
"I share in the sense of loss and in particular the family, as I too knew David Aksawnee very well. He also had many relatives in the outlying communities. I wanted to let them know that we feel their loss and we will keep them in our thoughts."
Premier Peter Taptuna and other members offered condolences to the Aksawnee family.
