Nunavut seeks deputy ministers of Health, Environment, Justice

After more than six years as a deputy minister and 10 with the Government of Nunavut, Aluki Rojas has unexpectedly handed in her resignation as deputy minister of Family Services.

In a news release, Premier Taptuna saidhe accepted the resignation with reluctance and said she gave personal reasons for the departure.

The same release announced that Simon Awa, who was the deputy minister of Culture and Heritage, will take over as deputy minister of Family Services.

Joe Adla Kunuk will replace Awa as the deputy minister of Culture and Heritage.

Kunuk was associate deputy minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, and will remain the GNs chief negotiator for the Nunavut Land Claims Implementation Contract.

The GN is now advertising for three new deputy ministers for the departments of Health, Environment,and Justice. A job ad has been posted in the Globe and Mail and online.

In 2006, then premierPaul Okalik announced that deputy ministers would lose their jobs if they weren't bilingual in English and Inuktitut by 2008.

Those ideals have changed somewhat. The current job ads states that knowledge of Inuit language, communities, culture, land and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is an asset. It also says "equivalencies that consist of a combination of formal education, knowledge, skill-setand leadership experience will be considered."