Paul Quassa will be Nunavut's next premier

Paul Quassa was selected Friday to sit as the next premier of Nunavut.

Quassa was elected by secret ballot during a daylong leadership forum at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit.

Quassawas born in Manitok, an outpost camp about 20 kilometres north of Igloolik in an igloo. He is a career politician and was a negotiator of the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. He was the minister of education in the previous government.

In the lead up to the territorial election earlier this year, Quassa said the two biggest issues facing Nuanvut were the social well-being of its communities, and working closely with Inuit organizations to improve life for all Nunavummiut.

• 2 former Nunavut premiers share leadership forum experience

Later, the Executive Council was selected:David Akeeagok(Quttiktuq),Pat Angnakak(Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu), Jeannie Ehaloak(Cambridge Bay), David Joanasie(South Baffin), LorneKusugak (Rankin Inlet South), Joe Savikataaq(ArviatSouth), and Elisapee Sheutiapik (Iqaluit-Sinaa). The executive council will form the next cabinet, but portfolios have not been assigned yet.

The cabinet for the next assembly will stay the same size as the previous government, with seven ministers plus the premier. The premier assigns the portfolios in the days following the leadership forum.

Friday's leadership forum wasthe first order of business for the new government, which was elected in the Oct. 30 general election.

• New faces, and a record number of women, will make up Nunavut's next legislature
• Trouble watching thelive video? Find it on Facebook

Early Friday morning,TununiqMLAJoeEnookwas acclaimed Speaker by fellow MLAs-elect.

Fourpeoplehadput their names forward to run for premier:

• Arviat South MLA Joe Savikataaq
• Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet MLA Cathy Towtongie
• Aivilik MLA Patterk Netser
• Aggu MLA Paul Quassa

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