Manitok Thompson
Ms. Manitok Thompson is a teacher by profession and has taught in Coral Harbour Nu., Rankin Inlet Nu., Naujat Nu., Yellowknife NWT, and Canmore, Alberta. Her spirit of volunteerism and dedication to community also led her to organize community events and festivals, as well as work with the Concerned Citizens Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse. In recognition for her civic involvement Ms. Thompson received the Volunteer Award for the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet.
Before entering politics in 1994, Ms. Thompson had a distinguished career in education, working as a teacher, language consultant, Inuktitut Programs Specialist and Coordinator of Interpreter Services at the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital.
Ms. Thompson was first elected to the Northwest Territories' Legislature in a by-election on May 8, 1995, and re-elected in October of the same year. While holding the cabinet portfolios of Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate she was a member of the Standing Committee on Finance, the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions and the Special Committee on Housing.
In Nunavut's historic first election on February 15, 1999, Ms. Thompson was elected. Mrs. Thompson was subsequently elected to Cabinet and appointed as Minister of Public Works and Services and the Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation and also Minister of Community Government and Transportation and Minister responsible for Sport Nunavut. In the final year of her term she held the portfolios of Human Resources and Minister responsible for the Arctic College and Education.
After her political career, she led a team to rewrite the Education Act for the Nunavut Territory.
Before Covid, she was a volunteer pastor and counselor to patients coming down from Baffin Inland to Ottawa.
She has been on APTN as the “Road Kill Lady” and on CBC.
She is now working at Inuit Broadcasting Corporation as the Executive Director.
Born in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Ms. Thompson now resides in Carleton Place, Ontario.