Nellie Cournoyea not running for re-election as Inuvialuit Regional Corporation chair

Nellie Cournoyea told CBC Thursday she is not planning on running for re-election as chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

Cournoyea has been chair of the IRC for 20 years, having been elected to the position for nine consecutive terms, beginning in 1996.

"My plan is not to submit my name for re-election," she told CBC Thursday, shortly before nominations closed at 5 p.m.

As to her future plans, she said "every day is a plan. It's very seldom in my life that I've had to plan a day, because someone is planning, or some event has pulled me in a direction. So, I kind of like that."

"I'm looking forward to having the time to move forward on many issues I've thought about but never had the chance to pursue. You're going to see me around. There's just so many things to enjoy in and around our region. I look forward to that."

Before being elected IRC chair, Cournoyea was MLA for Nunakput from 1979 to 1995, and served as Northwest Territories premier from 1991-1995.