Leadership of Indigenous Women

In drawing a portrait of the Saturviit Inuit Women’s Association of Nunavik, Inuit anthropologist Lisa Koperqualuk underlined that Inuit women played a vital role within the family prior to the shift from living in family camps to a sedentary lifestyle, and are just as actively involved today. Citing the findings of a 2006 survey conducted by the Kativik Regional Government, Koperqualuk noted that women held 42% of all regular full-time positions and 55% of part-time positions. The survey also found that the number of full-time jobs held by women rose by 84% between 1998 and 2005, mainly due to the creation of jobs in Nunavik’s childcare centre network. (Koperqualuk 2008) Twenty-two per cent (22%) of Inuit women who hold a full-time position work in education, 36% in health and social services, including childcare centres, 20% in non-profit organizations, and 22% in the private sector (local cooperatives, Inuit-owned businesses, etc.). According to Koperqualuk, it’s not surprising that many women rightly define themselves as the guardians of Inuit society. 

Saturviit was founded in fall 2004, in Puvirnituq, to address concerns about the rise in violence (physical, psychological and sexual) in Inuit communities. Women from the communities drafted a manifesto stressing the urgent need to break the silence and cycle of violence so that society stops seeing violent acts as normal. From the association’s inception, Inuit women have stressed the importance of protecting children from the abuse and negligence many suffer at home. In Chapter 6, we discussed the huge challenges faced by Inuit communities, especially Inuit women, related to overcrowded housing and food insecurity due largely to the high cost of living in Nunavik. 

In addition to the involvement and commitment they demonstrate on a daily basis, some women have shown remarkable leadership. One such woman, Mary Simon, born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, was by turns president of Makivik Corporation, which represents the interests of Nunavik Inuit, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national voice of Canada’s Inuit, and president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, an international organization. She is also the former Canadian Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs. Another prominent figure, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, who is from Kuujjuaq, has been a political representative for the Inuit at various levels, including internationally in her capacity as president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council. She is probably best known for her work as an environmental activist engaged in the fight against climate change, which has had a devastating impact on Inuit communities: ice and permafrost melt, coastal erosion and adverse effects on Arctic fauna. Another outstanding individual with a long track record working with Inuit organizations is Minnie Gray, currently executive director of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services. These women are but a few examples of female Inuit leadership.

On the urban front, Quebec Native Women (QNW) defends the interests of Aboriginal women living in urban areas as well as across Québec. It worked tirelessly to rally its troops alongside other Indigenous women’s groups in Canada to finally get the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In 2015, QNW released the findings of an exploratory investigation into missing and murdered Indigenous women in Québec. (QNW 2015)