FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2019
OTTAWA – On January 17, Pauktuutit’s Board of Directors selected and announced its Inuk Woman of the Year. This year’s nominees are all deserving of recognition and represent just some of the diversity, strength and talent of Inuit women from across Inuit Nunangat.
The 2018-19 Inuk Woman of the Year is Audrey Qamanirq of Arctic Bay, Nunavut. For over 20 years, she has worked to bring back traditional Inuit knowledge like sewing, hunting, and how to use traditional tools. She has done this while balancing work, family responsibilities, and volunteering with community-based committees in addition to being a translator and interpreter. She has helped dozens of Inuit girls and women learn valuable sewing skills including how to make traditional clothing like kamiit, sealskin parkas, and mittens. She has also run programs for young men to hunt and provide char and seal to elders.
Pauktuutit’s President, Rebecca Kudloo said, “There are many strong, positive Inuit role models and Inuk Woman of the Year helps us highlight just some of them. Pauktuutit is proud to recognize the important and positive impact Audrey has made to her community. By promoting and using Inuit traditional knowledge, she is encouraging and growing community and cultural pride among young Inuit. We thank Audrey for her contributions ‒ and are already looking forward to next year’s nominees.”
Media Requests
Tania Budgell
Director of Communications
communications@pauktuutit.ca
T: 613-238-3977 ext. 239
C: 613-316-8943
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