Nunavut, N.W.T. commissioners sworn in

Edna Elias was sworn in as Nunavut's newest commissioner on Monday, three days after George Tuccaro officially began the same job in the Northwest Territories.

Commissioners serve a similar role to provincial lieutenant-governors today, although commissioners used to be federal administrators in Canada's northern territories.

A longtime educator and Inuit-language interpreter from Kugluktuk in western Nunavut, Elias becomes the fourth commissioner in the territory's 11-year history.

"I've been asked by students and the general public, and even members of the government, 'What is the role of the commissioner? What does the commissioner do?' So I guess my educator's hat will never come off," Elias said during her swearing-in ceremony Monday in Iqaluit.

"My first line of duty is obviously to inform the members of Nunavut — especially in the western Kitikmeot, where many times they feel much more removed from government — and educate young people … on the role of commissioner."

Elias said she will continue to work on education and language issues during her term as commissioner.

Tuccaro sworn in

On Friday afternoon, Tuccaro was sworn in as the N.W.T.'s 16th commissioner in Yellowknife.

Tuccaro, a retired CBC North announcer whose career spanned three decades, said the timing of his ceremony Friday coincided with the death of his father 13 years ago.

"I can feel his spirit and I can feel the spirit of my mom and my grandparents," Tuccaro said.

N.W.T. Premier Floyd Roland said Tuccaro's experiences as a broadcaster, musician and cultural events organizer make him the right candidate for the commissioner's job.

"In more recent work in areas like healthy lifestyles, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, residential schools, he has proved that he is still in touch with the issues that affect so many northerners today," Roland said.

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister.