Rebecca Mike remembered as public servant, talented linguist

Rebecca Mike, a former MLA and longtime Inuktitut translator, is remembered as a leader since an early age, her brother and MLA Johnny Mike says. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc./Facebook)

Former MLA, translator died Nov. 14 at age 73

Rebecca Mike, a former Nunavut politician and Inuktitut translator, has died at age 73.

She died surrounded by family members in Ottawa on Nov. 14 following health issues that came up a month prior, said her brother and Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike.

“She was always ahead of us,” Johnny Mike said in an interview.

“She guided us, especially me in [the] political world.”

Rebecca Mike was the oldest of 12 siblings, Johnny Mike said. Growing up in an outpost camp, he described his older sister as being a leader from a young age who was “always there” when anybody needed help.

After attending residential school, she went on to work as an Inuktitut translator and was involved in the Nunavut land claims negotiations.

In 1991, she was elected to the Northwest Territories legislature as MLA for Baffin Central — a riding that represented Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq and her home community of Pangnirtung — and would land a seat in cabinet. She did not win re-election in 1995.

“I looked up to her a lot of times because I started to get involved with the politics too,” Johnny Mike said.

Rebecca Mike continued to work as a translator and advocated for Inuit language after leaving office.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. remembered her as a “talented linguist” and “trusted translator” the organization could rely on, in a statement about her death.

Rebecca Mike also worked with the Uqqummiut Inuit Artists Association, was on the Legal Services Board of Nunavut’s board of directors, and more recently was former premier P.J. Akeeagok’s constituency assistant in his Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu office.

“You have been a steady hand and a kind voice that so many relied on, and I’m deeply grateful that I got to work with you,” Akeeagok said Sept. 18, recognizing Rebecca Mike in his final member’s statement in the legislature.

Beyond her work, Rebecca Mike was a mother and grandmother. Johnny Mike also described her as someone who helped people who were struggling with food insecurity.

“She was like a workaholic, and she enjoyed her life,” Johnny Mike said.

“And I know that she was a 100 per cent Inuk who was fighting for Inuit.”

A funeral for Rebecca Mike was held in Iqaluit earlier this week.