Published 9:53 am Tuesday, November 3, 2026 By William Koblensky Varela Local Journalism Initaitive Northern News Service Tununiq MLA Brian Koonoo has resigned his roles as minister of Energy, Languages, Environment, Culture and Heritage, Premier John Main announced on Nov. 2. “For personal reasons, the honourable minister Brian Koonoo has resigned as a member of the executive council. I have accepted his resignation, effectively immediately,” the premier said. Main thanked Koonoo for his contributions as a Government of Nunavut minister. Koonoo was not in the legislative assembly on Nov. 2, and Speaker David Joanasie said he would be absent for personal reasons. During question period earlier that day, Arviat South MLA Jamie Kablutsiak said he wanted to direct his question to the “acting minister responsible for languages” and he wasn’t sure who that was. Main replied to Kablutsiak’s questions, though Koonoo’s resignation hadn’t been announced at that point. “Minister Annie Tattuinee will be acting minister of Culture and Heritage and minister of Languages, and Minister Cecile Nelvana Lyall will act as minister of Environment and minister of Energy,” Main said in his announcement. Koonoo, who represents Pond Inlet, first became an MLA in the October 2025 territorial election. He had previously spent over 20 years as a resource management officer with Parks Canada.
Brian Koonoo resigns from cabinet
