Published 8:30 am Tuesday, December 2, 2025 By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Northern News Services Arviat’s John Main became the seventh premier of Nunavut and the first non-Inuk to hold the title when he was voted in on Nov. 18 in Iqaluit. The third-term politician, who is proficient in Inuktitut, defeated David Akeegok in a secret vote to claim Nunavut’s highest post. Main, 45, told Kivalliq News he seriously began to look at seeking the position after receiving lots of encouragement following the election. In fact, he added, he was actually receiving a lot of encouragement during the election. “A lot of it (encouragement) came after the election and it was clear who was coming back to the Assembly,” said Main. “I had a ton of support from folks, so I felt I had to give it a real shot. You don’t just jump into this kind of thing. I had people telling.me that they thought I was ready. They saw something that I could do, so here I am. “It’s just really amazing to have people who you know, who you respect and who are experienced and wise to be encouraging you. So, yes, I’m just really humbled and really honoured. I can’t predict the future, but, you know, I’m coming into this role with some hopes. “I hope that our record over our government’s footprint is a positive one and one that is about positive change and listening to what Nunavummiut are telling us. It’s not just about me. It’s about my colleagues’ cabinet and, also, the other MLAs. We got an earful from Nunavummiut during the election and a lot of what they were telling us were potential solutions. “Now it’s on all of us to listen and then turn those messages into action and make positive change.” Main handed out cabinet assignments to the other MLAs who were elected to the executive last week during the swearing-in of the new assembly in Iqaluit on Nov. 20. In addition to being premier, Main will also serve as Minister of Finance, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Minister of Immigration, among other portfolios. Main said there would be no sugar coating issues confronting a government with its work cut out for it. He said anybody in the ranks of the Nunavut government knows that it has pressing issues on many fronts. “I feel that I have an incredibly strong cabinet going forward. I mentioned it in my leadership speech that I truly believe that every Assembly is getting stronger and stronger and with this 7th Assembly, I feel that trend is continuing. “I look around at the cabinet people, my colleagues, and I’m honoured to be working with them because there’s a great range of people who are new to Nunavut politics, people who are returning to Nunavut politics and many with highly educated backgrounds. So I expect this government to be very strong. “I know that this role comes with additional scrutiny, both positive and negative. I know that’s part of the job. If anything, the overwhelming emotion that I feel is just being humbled to be entrusted with such a role. “I wouldn’t be here without my voters and my supporters in the Assembly. You learn wherever you work and wherever you are and I’ve learned so much over the years. And that includes learning about hockey refereeing from a pretty good instructor and that training just might come in handy (laughs).” Two other Kivalliq MLAs will be part of Main’s cabinet. Rankin Inlet South MLA Annie Tattuinee became the Minister of Human Resources and Minister of the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission, while Baker Lake MLA David Simailak received several portfolios including Minister of Community Services, Minister responsible for Mines and Minister responsible for Trade. -with files from William Koblensky Valera
Im just really humbled and really honoured: John Main
