(1940-03-04) March 4, 1940 (age 84) Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada
Political party
non-partisan consensus government
Nellie CournoyeaOC ONWT (born March 4, 1940[1] in Aklavik, Northwest Territories) is a Canadian politician, who served as the sixth premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995. She was the first female premier of a Canadian territory, first Indigenous female premier of a Canadian province/territory and the second female premier in Canadian history after Rita Johnston of British Columbia.
Cournoyea is of mixed Norwegian and Inupiaq heritage.
Before entering politics, Cournoyea was an announcer and station manager for CBC North in Inuvik, and a land claims worker for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.
She was first elected to the territorial Legislative Assembly in 1979, representing the electoral district of Western Arctic until it was dissolved in 1983, and then the new district of Nunakput for the remainder of her career in politics. She served the government in a variety of cabinet positions.
On November 14, 1991, she was chosen as premier under the territory's consensus government system, in which the premier is chosen by elected members following the general election. Cournoyea served as premier until 1995, and subsequently chose not to stand for reelection to the Legislative Assembly. She currently serves as chair and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
She was a winner of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, now the Indspire Awards, in 1994, and has been awarded honorary doctorates in law from Lakehead University, Carleton University and the University of Toronto.
In 2008, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada[2] as well as inducted into the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame.[3] In 2016, Cournoyea received the Order of the Northwest Territories.
As a child, Cournoyea attended an aboriginal residential school. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report described how she was sheltered by Aboriginal families along her route when she ran away from an Anglican hostel in the Northwest Territories after a confrontation with a teacher.[4]
In 2023, Canada Post announced that Cournoyea will be one of three people, alongside George Manuel and Thelma Chalifoux, honoured as Indigenous pioneers on new postage stamps.[5]
^Nellie J. Cournoyea Archived 2013-12-24 at the Wayback Machine at Collections Canada]
^"Governor General Announces New Appointments to the Order of Canada".
^"Inuit Congratulate Nellie Cournoyea For Induction into Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame". Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. February 19, 2008. Archived from the original on May 4, 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-20.
^"Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Executive Summary" (PDF). p. 121. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
^"New Canada Post stamp honours first Indigenous woman to lead a Canadian government". Toronto Star, June 11, 2023.
NellieCournoyea OC ONWT (born March 4, 1940 in Aklavik, Northwest Territories) is a Canadian politician, who served as the sixth premier of the Northwest...
She is the second female premier of the Northwest Territories after NellieCournoyea, who served from 1991 to 1995. Cochrane was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba...
population and is responsible for ISR operations. From 1996 until 2016, NellieCournoyea, former Premier of the Northwest Territories, was the Chair and CEO...
the party leadership but lost the subsequent election; the second, NellieCournoyea of the Northwest Territories, was elected premier by MLAs following...
the degree to which is extended to them when they make mistakes." NellieCournoyea and Caroline Cochrane in the Northwest Territories, and Eva Aariak...
Saskatchewan – Roy Romanow Premier of the Northwest Territories – NellieCournoyea Premier of Yukon – John Ostashek Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta – Gordon...
and MLA Tagak Curley. She was the fifth woman, after Rita Johnston, NellieCournoyea, Catherine Callbeck and Pat Duncan, to hold a premiership in Canada...
Saskatchewan - Roy Romanow Premier of the Northwest Territories - NellieCournoyea Premier of Yukon - Tony Penikett then John Ostashek Lieutenant-Governor...
Inuit Circumpolar Council (formerly the Inuit Circumpolar Conference). NellieCournoyea, OC, of Inupiat heritage, served as the first female Premier of the...
Northwest Territories – Dennis Patterson (until November 14) then NellieCournoyea Premier of Yukon – Tony Penikett January 1 – The Goods and Services...
a part. In the Northwest Territories the first female premier was NellieCournoyea, an Inuk. In Nunavut, female representatives and ministers are as common...
Post announced that Manuel will be one of three people, alongside NellieCournoyea and Thelma Chalifoux, honoured as indigenous pioneers on new postage...
Saskatchewan – Roy Romanow Premier of the Northwest Territories – NellieCournoyea then Don Morin Premier of Yukon – John Ostashek Lieutenant-Governor...
Romanow Premier of the Northwest Territories - Dennis Patterson then NellieCournoyea Premier of Yukon - Tony Penikett Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta - Helen...
January 16) then Helen Maksagak Premier of the Northwest Territories – NellieCournoyea (until November 22) then Don Morin Premier of Yukon – John Ostashek...
Saskatchewan – Roy Romanow Premier of the Northwest Territories – NellieCournoyea Premier of Yukon – John Ostashek Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta – Gordon...
Saskatoon Massey Place Ione Christensen, CM, former Canadian Senator NellieCournoyea, served as Premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995 David...
Chalifoux will be one of three people, alongside George Manuel and NellieCournoyea, honoured as indigenous pioneers on new postage stamps. Heidenreich...
Centre Native Friendship Centre Native Women's Association of Canada NellieCournoyea New World Nicola (chief) Nicola language Nicole Redhead Nine Years'...
Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022. "NellieCournoyea". women-gender-equality.canada.ca. Archived from the original on 1...
Achievement Susan Aglukark, Performance Thelma Chalifoux, Public Service NellieCournoyea, Public Service Rosemarie Kuptana, Public Service Art Solomon, Spiritual...
Territories – Daniel L. Norris Premier of the Northwest Territories – NellieCournoyea Premier of Yukon – John Ostashek Winter – One of the coldest winters...
Carmichael, trapper and former MLA for Mackenzie West and Mackenzie Delta NellieCournoyea, former Premier of the Northwest Territories John Hagen, surgeon Glenna...
Territories – Daniel L. Norris Premier of the Northwest Territories – NellieCournoyea Premier of Yukon – Tony Penikett (until November 7) then John Ostashek...
actress February 16 - Don Bertoia, middle-distance runner March 4 - NellieCournoyea, former politician and 6th Premier of the Northwest Territories and...
businesswoman and philanthropist, the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta NellieCournoyea (born 1940), 6th Premier of the Northwest Territories, first female...
Outgoing Premier Dennis Patterson ran for re-election but was replaced by NellieCournoyea, who served out the entire term as the territory's first female Premier...