Implementation of UNDRIP Act, increasing food security and improved policing services among issues discussed
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 1 – Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on the evenings of February 23 and 24. During the AGM, board members met with four federal cabinet ministers, including the Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous-Crown Relations, to advance the protection and promotion of human rights for Inuit women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
Along with other business, the following items were discussed:
- ensuring Inuit women will have an equitable role in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) across government;
- the need for an Inuit-specific GBA+ lens to be applied to federal programs addressing food security across Inuit Nunangat; and
- improving policing services to better protect Inuit women.
Board members on the Resolution Committee presented updated resolutions at this year’s AGM to determine 2022-23 work priorities for staff. These include:
- the implementation of UNDRIP;
- more Inuit-specific shelters, and transition housing;
- increasing Inuit midwifery services across Inuit Nunangat;
- empowering Inuit women’s voices and leadership; and
- the implementation of the MMIWG National Action Plan – Federal Pathway and Inuit Action Plan.
A full summary of 2022 resolutions will be available on our website in the coming weeks.
Rebecca Kudloo’s term as President officially ended during the AGM. Vice-president Gerri Sharpe has been appointed Interim President of Pauktuutit until a new permanent President can be selected by the Board.
The following individuals were newly elected to represent their regions on the Board of Directors:
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay – Pauletta Tremblett
- Nunatsiavut – Roxanne Barber
- Ungava Nunavik – Nancy Etok
- Inuvialuit – Michelle Gruben
- Urban Youth Director – Paige Kimiksana Kreps
- Kivalliq – Esther Aglukark-Powell
A full list of new and existing board members can be found on our website.
Pauktuutit also announced two significant staffing changes during the AGM. Rosemary Cooper, who had been acting as Interim Executive Director, was officially confirmed as Executive Director, and Violet Ford was announced as in-house Legal Counsel.
Other special guests who participated in the AGM included:
- The Honourable Minister of Northern Affairs, Dan Vandal
- The Honourable Minister of Justice, David Lametti
- The Honourable Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Marci Ien
- RCMP Commissioner, Brenda Lucki
- President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Natan Obed
- Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Lori Idlout
Also of note were presentations from Madeleine d’Argencourt, Executive Director of Nunavut Status of Women Council, and Jeannie Nayoumealuk, Executive Director of Saturviit Inuit Women’s Association of Nunavik, which provided updates on the work of these regional organizations.
Following the AGM, Interim President Gerri Sharpe shared, “We are pleased that discussions with key federal cabinet Ministers and Inuit leaders to advance Pauktuutit’s work on critical issues for Inuit women, children, and gender-diverse people were very productive.
“We thank our long-term outgoing board members Rebecca Kudloo, Charlotte Wolfrey, and Anita Pokiak for their dedicated years of service. Their leadership and hard work strengthened Pauktuutit and leave the organization well-positioned to increase the positive impact of the work we do on behalf of Inuit women, children and gender-diverse people, across Inuit Nunangat and in the south.”
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Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mandate is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, and to encourage their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development.