Our Leaders
– Nancy Etok –
Nancy Etok
Chair of the Board, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
Nancy Etok, from Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, represents the Ungava region on the Board of Pauktuutit. As the Vice-Principal of Ulluriaq School in her community, Nancy is passionate about empowering youth and fostering leadership rooted in Inuit values.
Nancy describes Kangiqsualujjuaq, her home, as a community “hugged by beautiful mountains” that give a sense of safety and love. Growing up there, she experienced the strength and support of her community while also seeing the challenges Inuit women face. “Traditional gender roles often place the responsibility of childcare and household management on women, yet many are stepping into leadership roles to create positive change in the community. Balancing these two roles” Nancy says, “can be a stressful challenge.”
A Vision for Pauktuutit
Nancy believes Pauktuutit plays an essential role in helping Inuit women overcome these challenges. “An organization like Pauktuutit is vital,” she says. “It brings hope, strength, and a sense of belonging while providing women with the tools they need to become future leaders.”
For Nancy, Pauktuutit’s true power lies in its ability to unite Inuit women. “When Inuit women come together, we find ways to overcome challenges that can feel overwhelming. Collaboration leads to solutions, and those solutions always bring hope.”
“Even if someone feels damaged, they can still be an incredible contributor to our community. Teaching young people to embrace vulnerability is so important because it leads to strength.”
Inspiration and Strength
Nancy draws inspiration from her grandmother, who was dedicated to being of service to others. “She cared deeply for everyone and understood what people needed,” Nancy shares. “When I feel sad or hopeless, I still talk to her. I know she’s with me.”
Nancy’s life experiences have taught her the importance of compassion and understanding. She has seen the ongoing impacts of colonization and its resulting trauma and violence but sees vulnerability as a pathway to healing. “Even if someone feels damaged, they can still be an incredible contributor to our community. Teaching young people to embrace vulnerability is so important because it leads to strength.”
Her work with youth at Ulluriaq School brings her immense joy. Watching children grow from curious five-year-olds into confident young adults fills her with hope for the future. “Planting seeds of encouragement, reminding them they’re not alone, that’s what drives me,” she says.
A Foundation for the Future
Nancy hopes her work with Pauktuutit will inspire the next generation of Inuit women to achieve their dreams and surpass her own accomplishments. “I want young women to feel driven to do what propels them forward,” she says. “I want them to see no limits to what they can achieve.”
“Our culture is beautiful and simple. It’s about being human, a happy human. The way we eat, the way we live, it brings joy and keeps me grounded.”
She finds joy and strength in the simple pleasures of Inuit life: camping, ice fishing, and sharing time with her husband, children, and the youth in her community. These moments, deeply tied to our culture, remind her of what matters most—connection, purpose, and the power of community. “Our culture is beautiful and simple,” Nancy says. “It’s about being human, a happy human. The way we eat, the way we live, it brings joy and keeps me grounded.”
Under Nancy’s leadership, Pauktuutit continues its mission of advocating for Inuit women and gender-diverse Inuit and building a future where our culture and traditions guide us with strength, pride, and unity.
