Territorial leader who held 4 portfolios says his family wants to be together
Tununiq MLA Brian Koonoo is no longer a cabinet minister. He resigned for “personal reasons,” Nunavut Premier John Main announced Monday. (Photo by Daron Letts)
This story was updated Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at 6:05 p.m. ET.
Brian Koonoo has resigned as a Nunavut cabinet minister effective immediately, Premier John Main announced Monday evening, citing “personal reasons.”
In an interview, Koonoo said “there’s probably 10,000 reasons” for his decision.
“The main parts are my family’s homesick and we want to be together again,” he said. “And I would like to start supporting my constituency more in a full capacity, and also I miss hunting.”
Koonoo previously held three portfolios, including environment, energy, languages, and culture and heritage.
Cecile Nelvana Lyall, the minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corp., will take on environment and energy.
The languages and culture and heritage posts will go to Human Resources Minister Annie Tattuinee, who is also the minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission.
This is Koonoo’s first term in the legislative assembly after being elected in the 2025 territorial election. He represents the Tununiq riding that consists of Pond Inlet. Koonoo a hunter, and children’s book author and former Parks Canada employee.
Koonoo was not present for Monday’s sitting of the legislative assembly.
— With files from Daron Letts
Update: This story was updated to include comments from Brian Koonoo.
