Pita Aatami

Mr. Pita Aatami was re-elected President of Makivvik in February 2024. He previously held this position from 1998 to 2012, returning in January 2021. From 2013 to 2020, he served as the President and CEO of Air Inuit, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Makivvik.

His history with Makivvik goes back to 1987 when he was elected Board Member for the community of Kuujjuaq, where he grew up. In 1993 he was elected Treasurer of Makivvik, a position he held until becoming President in 1998.

Mr. Aatami was previously Chairman of First Air, President of Kuujjuamiut, Halutik Enterprises, and Director of Air Inuit, and Seaku Fisheries. He is past President of the Nayumivik Landholding Corporation in Kuujjuaq, and was the Deputy Mayor of Kuujjuaq for ten years, as well as the past president of the Kuujjuaq Recreation Committee. He started the Kuujjuaq Youth Camp in his community.

He has numerous awards:

2007: Reader’s Digest made Pita Aatami a Hero of the Year and described him as a “Tireless Fighter for His People”, and underlined his tenacity and his leadership.

2008: Appointed to the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board by the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

2008: Elected Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America of the University of Calgary for his support to northern research and education.

2009: Selected in Policy Leadership category as the 2009 winner of the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs at Carleton University.

2009: Mr. Aatami was made Chevalier of the Québec National Order. The ceremony took place at the Quebec National Assembly under the auspices of Premier of Québec, Jean Charest.

2010: Pita Aatami was awarded the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame Award, recognizing Mr. Aatami’s accomplishments as a business leader and his contribution to sustainable economic development.

2019: Appointed as Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to the social, political and economic development of the Nunavik region.

Pita Aatami was born in Kuujjuaq in 1960. His education includes attending the Federal Day School in Kuujjuaq, and Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1978-1979. He has three children. He is interested in collectibles, notably baseball-style caps, and cowboy hats. He plays hockey (centre) in a recreational league in Kuujjuaq. He enjoys hunting and fishing as well.