Addressing Inuit Women’s Economic Security and Prosperity in the Resource Extraction Industry

Inuit women have been working in the resource extraction industry for decades, often representing the largest proportion of female workers at mines in the North (Pauktuutit and UBC 2016). Historically, these worksites have been male-dominated, which can expose Inuit women to unequal opportunities in economic security and prosperity, as well as experiences of sexual violence and harassment in the workplace.

The foci of this report are three-fold, examining:

1. Inuit women’s experiences of economic security and prosperity;
2. Inuit women’s experiences of sexual violence and harassment in the resource extraction industry; and
3. Inuit women’s knowledge of related policies and practices in the workplace.

This report builds on existing research that Pauktuutit completed in 2014, 2016 and 2020, which explored the impacts of resource extraction on Inuit women and families more broadly. This study aimed to illuminate the reality of workplace sexual violence and harassment for Inuit women in the North, as well as to identify gaps, opportunities and recommendations regarding Inuit women’s economic security and prosperity in Inuit Nunangat.

The results of this study are based on qualitative and quantitative survey data, which were completed by 29 women from Arviat (Nunavut), Salluit (Nunavik), Inuvik (Inuvialuit) and Baker Lake (Kivalliq).