Canada Post revealed a new stamp design honoring the life and work of Nellie Cournoyea, the first Indigenous woman in Canada to become Premier of a province or territory, having served as the sixth Premier of the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995.

Cournoyea, who is Inuvialuit from the Northwest Arctic of Canada, was the second woman to hold the office of Premier in Canadian history, after Rita Johnston, who served as Premier of British Columbia in 1991.

The Canada Post press release explained that this stamp is one of three Indigenous leaders stamps to be issued on the upcoming June 21, and the new design is the second in the Indigenous leaders series published by Canada Post, featuring an image of Cournoyea taken in 2022 by photographer Peggy Jay.

Before her political career, Cournoyea began her life working in broadcasting, then as a field reporter later on, and also participated in establishing the Indigenous Claims Commission, which helped negotiate the final Inuvialuit Agreement, leading to a settlement of land covering 90,000 square kilometers. She was then elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly in 1979, held several ministerial portfolios before being chosen as Premier, and played an important role in the creation of Nunavut, which she led for 20 years.

The multi-year Indigenous leaders stamp series, launched in 2022, highlights the contributions of modern-era leaders of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. According to Canada Post, "These extraordinary individuals have dedicated their lives to preserving their cultures and improving the quality of life of Indigenous peoples in Canada."

Later this week, the Canadian postal office will also issue stamps honoring Indigenous leaders George Manuel and Thelma Chalifoux.