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Nellie Cournoyea




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 Nunakput , and served 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 the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1994 , and has been awarded honourary doctorates in Law from Lakehead University , Carleton University and the University Of Toronto .