APTN National News
OTTAWA – Hunter Tootoo, the former Nunavut speaker of the legislator, was named minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard, ensuring an Inuk will again sit in the federal cabinet Wednesday.
Tootoo is the second Inuk MP to hold a cabinet position – he beat out former MP Leona Aglukkaq who held several cabinet positions under the former Stephen Harper government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet were sworn in Wednesday morning at Rideau Hall that included throat singing by two Inuk girls from Ottawa.
The #SwearingIn of PM @JustinTrudeau is highlighted with throat singing by two #Ottawa Inuit girls. #PM23 pic.twitter.com/wkxUXtwzKv
— GG Rideau Hall | GG Citadelle (@RideauHall) November 4, 2015
There was speculation that Tootoo would be named to Trudeau’s cabinet prior to Wednesday.
Many people took to social media to congratulate Tootoo, who is related to NHL hockey player Jordin Tootoo.
Congrats @HunterTootoo new Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard #cdnpoli #nupoli
— ITK (@ITK_CanadaInuit) November 4, 2015
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed attended the swearing-in ceremony and said in an interview with APTN National News “it is a proud day for Inuit” and that he spoke to Tootoo shortly after he was sworn in as a minister.
“This is a portfolio he holds that is quite near and dear to the hearts of the Inuit,” said Natan, adding he’ll be meeting formally with Tootoo soon. “He knows formal meetings are coming and there will be very difficult things (language and suicide prevention) I’ll be asking of him and I think he is ready for that.”
The ITK is the national Inuit organization that represents nearly 60,000 Inuit.
Other Aboriginal leaders like Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde also congratulated Tootoo and Sheila North Wilson, grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak who tweeted:
Very happy/hopeful that we now have an Indigenous Fisheries and Oceans Minister. Congratulations Hunter Tootoo
— Sheila North – Bunibonibee Cree Nation (@TheSheilaNorth) November 4, 2015
Others included former APTN National News reporter Ossie Michelin.
HUNTER TOOTOO is the DFO Minster! We have an Inuk in charge of Fisheries and Oceans! And the Coast Guard too! #CantEven!
— Ossie Michelin ❄️ (@Osmich) November 4, 2015
Looking forward to working with you, in the preservation and protection of our fish, fish habitat ( to allow for) a strong and prosperous fishery