Mumilaaq Qaqqaq is a Canadian activist and former politician who served as the member of Parliament for Nunavut in the House of Commons from 2019 to 2021.
17 Facts About Mumilaaq Qaqqaq
1.
2.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq was born in Baker Lake, Northwest Territories, and later moved to Iqaluit.
3.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq was formerly known as Trina Qaqqaq, but later on adopted Mumilaaq, a moniker given by her father.
4.
Mumilaaq means "dancing little one" in Inuktitut; Qaqqaq stated she adopted the name to reclaim her culture.
5.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq moved to Ottawa in 2011 to study for business administration at Algonquin College.
6.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq played ice hockey and competed in 2012 Arctic Winter Games.
7.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq's speech was a part of Daughters of the Vote, a program that brings young women to the House of Commons to speak about their visions for their country and home community.
8.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq worked as an employment officer with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and as a wellness program specialist with the health department of the Government of Nunavut.
9.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq has held positions with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, working with Susan Aglukark in the Arctic Rose Foundation, and with Northern Youth Abroad.
10.
On 23 October 2020, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq announced she would be stepping aside for at least eight weeks for what she described as "personal health problems" based on advice from her doctor.
11.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq returned on 5 January 2021 citing "extreme burnout, depression, and anxiety" as the reason for her leave.
12.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq was approached by the NDP to contest the 2019 Canadian federal election in Nunavut, and accepted their nomination in September 2019.
13.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq was named critic for Northern affairs and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, known as CanNor.
14.
On 19 April 2021, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq claimed that Labrador MP Yvonne Jones was "not an Inuk," and southern Labrador is "not an Inuit region".
15.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq later issued an email statement apologizing "for how I handled the situation".
16.
On 20 May, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq announced that she would not seek re-election at the 2021 Canadian federal election.
17.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq was succeeded by Lori Idlout in the 2021 election.