The Center for Indigenous Law, Governance and Citizenship hosted Minister David Omilgoitok, Deputy Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Government of Nunavut on October 4, 2004 during his visit to the Syracuse University College of Law.  Deputy Minister Omilgoitok shared his experience during the negotiations with the Canadian government, his role in the new government, and his hopes and vision for the Inuit people.  



Minister Omilgoitok has served as a staff member, field worker and negotiator for the Inuit during the negotiations on the Nunavut Land Claim, the largest and most comprehensive Indigenous land claim yet concluded.  He also played a primary role in the seven year implementation process working on the creation of the new government that came into being on April 1, 1999. 

Mr. Omilgoitok’s interests and areas of responsibility include: creating public policy that reflects Inuit traditional knowledge and values; providing civic and public services to remote populations; serving as the international diplomatic arm of the Government of Nunavut (which includes sharing information and working with governments and indigenous and scientific organizations on transboundary issues and environmental change); learning about and facilitating government cooperation in land claims implementation (which includes working and negotiating with other indigenous populations in Canada with regard to their land claims and educating others about the Nunavut land claims process).