Jeannie Ugyuk is a Canadian Inuk politician, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Nattilik in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the 2010 by-election. At that time the riding of Nattilik encompassed the communities of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, Nunavut. She became the second woman, along with Premier Eva Aariak, to sit in the 3rd Nunavut Legislature.Second woman joins Nunavut legislature . Nunatsiaq News, April 27, 2010.Candidates ready for election . Northern News Services, October 20, 2008.
In the 2013 general election Ugyuk ran, unopposed, in the newly created riding of Netsilik, which consists of Taloyoak and Kugaaruk. She was chosen as the Family Services Minister in the 4th Nunavut Legislature. On November 7, 2015, a leadership review of the cabinet was held and as a result of a non-confidence vote a motion was made to remove Ugyuk from cabinet.Nunavut’s family services minister flunks Nov. 7 leadership review . Nunatsiaq News, November 9, 2015. On November 9, prior to discussion on the motion, Ugyuk resigned both from cabinet and as MLA and the motion was withdrawn. A by-election was held within six months.After Ugyuk quits, Nunavut MLAs put Hickes, Savikataaq into cabinet . Nunatsiaq News, November 10, 2015.
Before politics Ugyuk was born in Taloyoak and has always lived there. She is a graduate of Nunavut Arctic College and was employed as a social worker. She has also taught at the Netsilik School in Inuktitut. She has also served on the hamlet council, the board of the woman's shelter and on the Anglican vestry and worked as a social worker.
Ugyuk is married with three children.
References
External links . Biography at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut