Meet the Council!
Qulliit Council Members as of March 31, 2010 are:
Donna Adams, Rankin Inlet
President
Although Donna was born in Churchill, Manitoba, she grew up in Arviat with her parents, 5 sisters, and one brother. She is now living in Rankin Inlet with her 15 year old son, 13 and 7 year old daughters.
Donna is very involved in her community and actively partakes in various initiatives. Not only is she a member of the Victim Assistance program but she also started the Language and Instruction Committee while being the Vice Chairman for the District Education Authority. She also owns and operates Nuvuya Consulting, a company that provides interpretation, translation and equipment for meetings.
Despite being busy with her community, Donna finds time to enjoy her favorite hobbies such as fishing, learning to sew, and going to church. In the past, she ran and taught the local Sunday School and was the Youth Program Coordinator.
Donna first realized her interest and desire to support the women of Nunavut while seeing her mothers’ passion for women’s issues. She is therefore very proud to act as the president of QNSW for the 2009-2010 term. She hopes to work with fellow council members to raise awareness of women’s issues and to provide advocacy, education, and a voice for women who are unable to speak for themselves.
Angela Hovak-Johnston, Kugluktuk
Vice-President
Angela Hovak-Johnston was raised in Umingmaktuk (Bay Chimo) until the age of 7 when she was sent to Cambridge Bay for schooling. Since her graduation, Hovak has moved to Kugluktuk where she now lives with her husband and 3 boys.
In her free time, Hovak loves to sew, walk, advocate for the preservation of the Inuinnaqtun language, take part in cultural activities, and spend time with her friends and family. She is quite a busy woman as she balances being a stay-at-home mom, doing casual work at the high school, and being members of both the local District Education Authority and the Housing Board.
Hovak states her greatest achievements are undoubtedly her three boys as well as having produced her CD “Nipiga.” She is proud to say that this CD has helped some women come to terms with tragedies they have had to carry for so many years.
After first hearing about the Qulliit Status of Women Council through a friend, Hovak was encouraged to apply to be a council member. As part of the council, she aims to be an advocate for women and women’s rights. She looks forward to working with the Council to achieve these goals.
Martha Aupaluktuq-Hickes, Baker Lake
Vice-President
Martha was born and raised in Baker Lake, NU with her 4 brothers and 4 sisters. She continues to live in Baker Lake with her husband and daughter where she works as a Community Assessment and Evaluation Advisor for the Department of Community and Government Services.
Martha first learned about QNSW from previous members of the Northwest Territories Status of Women Council, and had recently learned Premier Aariak was the Minister responsible. Martha felt that as an Inuk woman with many life experiences she could provide a voice on behalf of the women in Nunavut as a council member. She believes that QNSW has the ability to help women in Nunavut by helping them learn to make their well being and happiness a priority, which includes the freedom to pursue a career of their choice. She believes this will make it easier to care for families and the home. Martha also became the first Inuk female electrician in 1994 – an achievement of which to be quite proud!
Trista Mercer, Iqaluit
Member
Trista Mercer a resident of Iqaluit, Nunavut who has completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Nunavut Arctic College. Over the past 8 years, she has been actively involved in local community work, notably with the women’s shelter and children’s group home. She has great determination in upholding a first rate standard in her dedication to work with families and communities. Trista is currently employed as a Nurse for the Department of Health and Social Services. She is committed to the council and is privileged to work alongside great women to move forward with the mandate of the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council.
Maude Bertrand, Iqaluit
Member
Maude was born and raised in the province of Quebec and is currently living in Iqaluit, Nunavut. She has one brother and is the proud mother of her 7 year old son, Maxime. Although she was an 18 year old single mother at the time of his birth, she is proud to have overcome some difficult situations to pursue her life dreams. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, singing, dancing, playing guitar and making jewelry. To relax during the summer months, Maude takes advantage of the outdoors by going fishing, hiking, biking and camping.
After completing a degree in Civil Law at the University of Ottawa and a Bachelors degree in Communication and in International Development, Maude ventured north to work for the Language Commissioners Office as the French Investigator/Research Officer. She is also part of the French Health Services Network for Nunavut (known as Resefan).
While covering International Women’s Day as a journalist, Maude first discovered Qulliit and learned the importance of the Council and the impact it has on women across Nunavut. She believed that as a council member she could play an advocacy role for women across Nunavut, support women in their endeavors, and join the fight against violence and sexual abuse.
Maude believes that her greatest accomplishment is having organized an Inspirational Inuit Fashion Show that provided an opportunity for women and men of different cultures to work together towards the production of beautiful designs, fashion and art. She feels that this experience has helped some women increase their self-esteem as they were able to showcase and share their talents with other Nunavummiut.
Annie Iqalukjuak, Clyde River
Member
Annie is currently serving her second term as a member of QNSW Council. She first decided to apply in 2007 when her husband suggested she become involved with the Council. He believed Annie could help other women across Nunavut by sharing her story and how she has overcome obstacles in the past. Annie has a quiet, caring nature and is very compassionate toward those around her. She hopes by serving on the Status of Women Council she can in some small way help improve the lives of families in Nunavut. Annie resides in Clyde River with her family.
Neevee Wilkins, Iqaluit
Member
Neevee was born and raised in Iqaluit where she grew up with beautiful and talented sisters whom she has always looked up to and admired. During the past 6 years, she has been working at Nakasuk Primary School as a grade one teacher. She feels privileged to have a daily impact on the little lives of her students and expresses this by telling them every day how special and smart they are.
Neevee is a very talented and busy young woman who enjoys various activities and hobbies. She loves to sew, scrap book, read, walk on the land, go camping, drum dance, throat sing and spend time with friends and family.
After witnessing her sister Kathy’s passion for women’s issues while being a past council member, Neevee became interested in being a part of QNSW herself. She believes that the women of Nunavut need representatives of all ages and backgrounds who can be their voices and speak on issues that others often shy away from. As a council member, Neevee hopes to fill this role.
Bernadette Dean, Rankin Inlet
Past Member (term ended March 2010)
Bernadette served two years as a member of QNSW. The Council would like to take this opportunity to once again thank her for her time and contributions to making Nunavut a safer place to live for women and families.
Council Staff
Shylah Elliott
Executive Director
Shylah began her professional journey in advocacy as a crisis worker for women accessing homeless shelters in Eastern Canada. In 2005, she decided to move to Iqaluit where she began work as the lead researcher and report writer for a women’s homelessness study on behalf of QNSW. In 2008, Shylah took on the role of Executive Director to assist the Council in fulfilling the mandate of advancing women’s equality in Nunavut. Shylah has an acute passion for human rights and volunteers for many local organizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from St. Thomas University in Fredericton and is currently completing a bachelor of social work via correspondence.
Meaghan Marien
Project Coordinator, Help the Aged Canada
Meaghan came to work for Qulliit as part of an internship program in November of 2009. This program is initiated by Help the Aged Canada, in partnership with Qulliit. Meaghan is a native of Montreal, Quebec where she grew up with an older brother and younger sister. She holds a degree in physical and health education and life sciences from Queen’s University, and has recently been accepted into McGill University medicine in the fall of 2010. Meaghan was a tremendous asset and support to Council and is dearly missed. We wish her the best of luck in future endeavours!