Nellie Cournoyea

Nellie Cournoyea, born on March fourth, nineteen forty, is a distinguished Canadian politician who made history as the sixth premier of the Northwest Territories from nineteen ninety-one to nineteen ninety-five. She holds the remarkable distinction of being the first female premier of a Canadian territory and the first Indigenous female premier (Inuvialuk) in the country, following in the footsteps of Rita Johnston, the second female premier in Canadian history.

Before her political career, Cournoyea was an accomplished announcer and station manager for CBC North in Inuvik. She also worked as a land claims advocate for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, now known as Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Her political journey began in nineteen seventy-nine when she was elected to the territorial Legislative Assembly, representing the Western Arctic until its dissolution in nineteen eighty-three, after which she served the newly established district of Nunakput.

On November fourteenth, nineteen ninety-one, Cournoyea was selected as premier through the territory's consensus government system, a unique process where elected members choose the premier following a general election. She held this esteemed position until nineteen ninety-five, after which she opted not to seek reelection. Following her tenure as premier, she served as chair and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation from nineteen ninety-six to two thousand sixteen.

Throughout her career, Cournoyea has received numerous accolades, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in nineteen ninety-four, now recognized as the Indspire Awards. She has been honored with honorary doctorates in law from Lakehead University, Carleton University, and the University of Toronto. In two thousand eight, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and inducted into the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame. In two thousand sixteen, she received the Order of the Northwest Territories.

Cournoyea's early life was marked by challenges, including her experience in an Aboriginal residential school. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report highlighted her resilience, noting how she was sheltered by Aboriginal families during her escape from an Anglican hostel after a confrontation with a teacher. In two thousand twenty-three, Canada Post announced that she would be honored as one of three Indigenous pioneers on new postage stamps, alongside George Manuel and Thelma Chalifoux.