Jose Kusugak

Jose Amaujaq Kusugak, ONu, Inuit politician, community leader, teacher, activist, linguist and broadcaster (born 2 May 1950 in Repulse Bay, NT [now Naujaat, NU]; died 18 or 19 January 2011 in Rankin Inlet, Kivalliq, NU). Kusugak was president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. from 1994 to 2000. This was the organization responsible for negotiating and implementing the land claim that ultimately resulted in the creation of Nunavut in 1999. For this reason, some consider Kusugak a Father of Confederation. He was also a lifelong advocate for Inuit rights, language and culture.

Early Life and Education

Jose Kusugak was born in an igloo, the second child of 11 or 12 siblings. He was sent to residential schools in Chesterfield Inlet and in Churchill, Manitoba, and then attended high school in Saskatoon. He was one of the first generation of Inuit children to be sent to residential school, and he graduated from the Churchill Vocational Institute. Kusugak said it was while attending residential schools that he realized education would be the key to ensuring the survival of Inuit culture. (See also Inuit Experiences at Residential School.)

Contributions to Inuktitut Linguistics

Jose Kusugak’s love of learning led him to start his career as a teacher. He began working at what was then called the Eskimo Language School at the University of Saskatchewan. He then taught Inuktitut and Inuit history at the Churchill Vocational Institute. Kusugak also worked as an adviser on cultural and linguistic issues.

In the 1970s, Kusugak lobbied Inuit leaders to develop a standardized system for writing Inuktitut. He eventually became the head of the Inuit Language Commission from 1974 to 1977. During that time, he was involved in developing a dual-orthography writing system for Inuktitut. This involved a new syllabary that worked in parallel with the Latin alphabet. Though a standardized system was not accomplished during his lifetime, Kusugak made important contributions in this direction. (See also Indigenous Languages in Canada.)

Did You Know?
Jose Kusugak and Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak co-wrote Arctic Comics, a comic book that features tales of adventure, lore and humour. The book is illustrated by Germaine Arnaktauyok, Susan Shirley, George Freeman and Nicholas Burns.

Broadcasting Career

Jose Kusugak joined CBC North in 1980 as area manager for the Kivalliq region. He held this position for a decade. During that time, he used his platform to discuss and promote the importance of Inuit land claims. After his career with the CBC, he went on to work with the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation. Kusugak continued promoting the use of Inuktitut and developed more Inuktitut programming.

Role in the Creation of Nunavut

In 1971, Jose Kusugak joined Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (now Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami). He later became president of the organization, from 2000 through 2006. It was there that he first began advocating for land claims amongst Inuit communities. In 1994, he became president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), the organization responsible for negotiating land claims with the federal and territorial governments. After successfully negotiating the creation of Nunavut, which became a Canadian territory on 1 April 1999, NTI ensures that promises made under the Nunavut Agreement are carried out by Inuit and federal and territorial governments.

In addition to his advocacy, Kusugak played an important role in choosing the name — Nunavut — for the new territory, and he assisted in designing its flag. He also helped to change federal government policy towards Indigenous peoples so that it recognized important social and cultural distinctions between First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

Kusugak described the Inuit’s place within Canadian society with the phrase, “First Canadians, Canadians First.” He spent his life advocating for Inuit issues in Canadian politics and culture.

Did You Know?
In 2022, Jose Kusugak was one of several trailblazing Indigenous leaders to be commemorated by Canada Post with a stamp bearing his likeness, and his name in Inuktitut syllabics.

Personal Life

Jose Kusugak’s wife, Nellie Kusugak, is a lifelong educator who served as the fifth commissioner of Nunavut, from 2015 to 2020. They have four children. Their only son, Pujjuut, was elected the mayor of Rankin Inlet in 2010. They had 13 grandchildren.

Legacy and Significance

Jose Kusugak served his community right up until his death in 2011. He was president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association and was a member of the board of Nunavut Arctic College. He was also working to ensure mining companies operating in Kivalliq followed environmental guidelines and provided for his community.

Kusugak was remembered for his warmth of personality, his excellent communications skills and for making others around him laugh. Above all, he was remembered for his pivotal role both in the creation of Nunavut and in preserving and promoting Inuktitut.