JANUARY 22, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA – Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada’s Board of Directors and delegates concluded the 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, January 20th. The AGM was attended by Pauktuutit’s Board of Directors, delegates, special guests and members of the public. Agenda items included special appearances from the Honourable Minister Carolyn Bennett and President Natan Obed, board member elections, selection of the Woman of the Year award recipient, and a public consultation on Inuit women’s perspectives on the creation of an Arctic Policy Framework.
Pauktuutit was joined by the Honourable Minister Carolyn Bennett for a joint announcement regarding Pauktuutit’s core funding. The Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and President Kudloo announced an additional $1 million to support the important work Pauktuutit does to represent Inuit women and girls across the country. This funding, in addition to our current annual funding, will help increase Pauktuutit’s capacity to implement initiatives that directly address the safety and well-being of Inuit women and children, as well as focus on new and emerging issues including youth issues and women’s leadership.
Kudloo had the following statement, “This new funding demonstrates the confidence that Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada has in Pauktuutit and our accomplishments for Inuit women over the past 30 years. We are excited to build on our existing work and continue to advocate for all Inuit women in Canada.”
Pauktuutit was happy to welcome President Natan Obed to officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). We hope this MOU will strengthen the working relationship between Pauktuutit and ITK by respecting and supporting both of our organization’s mandates. We are eager to continue to work with ITK to uplift each other and all Inuit in Canada.
Elections were held for numerous board member positions at this year’s AGM. We extend a warm welcome and congratulations to our new and returning board members. The following are the board member seats that were up for election and the accompanying results:
- Western Arctic – Anita Pokiak
- Nunavik Ungava – Pasha Arngaq
- Nunavik Hudson – Leena Metuq
- Youth – Alyssa Carpenter
- Urban – Billie-Jo Barnes
- Urban – Martha Flaherty
- South Baffin Region – Geela Maniapik
- Iqaluit – Parniga Akeeagok
Pauktuutit’s Woman of the Year award has been awarded to Marlene Kunilusie! We congratulate Marlene and encourage her to continue to be a leader in her community and support Inuit women and girls. A gift will be sent to Marlene to commemorate this special achievement.
In addition to our usual agenda items, Pauktuutit held a consultation session with Inuit women on the creation of Canada’s Arctic Policy Framework. We are pleased that Inuit women from every region of Inuit Nunangat and from urban centers could participate and contribute to the development of an Inuit women’s perspective of the Framework. We look forward to sharing the report with our participants, government and the public.
Pauktuutit’s board members, delegates and members of the public were also treated to special performances by the students of Nunavut Sivuniksavut and Twin Flames.
Kudloo reflected on the week’s meetings, “It’s always a pleasure to hear from and work with Inuit women. I am grateful to all the Inuit women who came together this week to share their input on Pauktuutit’s priorities and advocacy. I thank everyone who took the time to join us, particularly the delegates who flew from every corner of Canada to be here.”
We thank all of our board members, delegates and guests for joining us for our 2018 AGM.
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For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Deseure at adeseure@pauktuutit.ca or by phone by 613-238-3977 ext 239.