For Immediate Release
(November 20, 2025 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik President Jeremy Tunraluk congratulates John Main on his election to serve as Premier of Nunavut and to Members elected to serve on the Executive Council.
“I have known Premier Main, personally and professionally, for many years, and have great respect for him as a colleague and as someone who understands the value of Inuktut,” said President Tunraluk. “At the same time, while respecting the choice of the Members of the Legislative Assembly, we regret that Nunavut no longer has an Inuk representative at the highest tables of decision making in this country including with the Prime Minister, at the First Ministers Meetings or at the Council of the Federation. It is time to be creative and strengthen our partnership to ensure Inuit participate in the decisions about our lives and future.”
Under Nunavut Tunngavik’s Inungnik Makipalliatittiniq 4-year strategic priorities, Inuktut is recognized as a foundation of Inuit identity, leadership, and sovereignty. Nunavut Tunngavik continues to urge the Government of Nunavut to ensure that Inuit children can learn in Inuktut from early childhood to graduation, and that workplaces and leadership roles across the public service reflect Inuit language and culture. Premier Main himself spoke about the benefits he gained from an Inuktut education.
A key priority for Nunavut Tunngavik is the full implementation of Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement, which requires a representative level of Inuit employment within the Government of Nunavut at all occupational levels. Advancing Article 23 is essential to ensuring Inuit leadership, language, and culture are visible and influential across the public service and in all decision-making roles.
Formalized through the Katujjiqatigiinniq Protocol, the partnership between Nunavut Tunngavik and the Government of Nunavut has strengthened in recent years. Nunavut Tunngavik calls on the new government to honour this commitment by meeting as soon as possible to discuss shared priorities related to Inuit wellbeing, addressing the housing and infrastructure crises, food security, mental wellness, Inuktut revitalization, and the full implementation of the Nunavut Agreement.
“Nunavut Tunngavik is ready to work closely and constructively with Premier Main and the Executive Council,” said Vice-President Paul Irngaut. “Together, we can build a Nunavut where Inuit language, leadership, and rights are reflected at every level of government, and where our children and grandchildren grow up surrounded by the strength of Inuktut.”
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Media Contact:
Ivaluarjuk Merritt
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik
