F
or an individual who has done so much for so
many, Charlie Watt Sr. does not welcome the
spotlight on himself. Despite his outstanding
contributions to the Inuit community and achievements
in Canadian politics, Watt is not wired to think in terms
of his accomplishments. In fact, he says he’s still got a
long way to go.
In the early 70s, Watt was behind the formation of the
Northern Quebec Inuit Association (NQIA)—the orga-
nization that negotiated the James Bay and Northern
Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) on behalf of the Inuit of
Nunavik. The JBNQA was the first major agreement
between the Crown and the Indigenous people in
Canada since the numbered treaties of the 19th and
early 20th centuries.
Elected Makivik President, Watt returns to the
organization he founded 40 years ago
JANUARY 2019 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA 21
