Qulliit vows to continue fighting violence in Nunavut

The issues and challenges women still face in Nunavut dominated discussions when Nunavut’s Qulliit status of women council met March 25 to 28 in Rankin Inlet.

During their meeting, council members handed out their first “Outstanding Female Youth Award” to Kandace Kusugak of Rankin Inlet, an athlete, coach and administrative assistant at the Kivalliq Mine Training Society.

They also identified the four main priorities which will guide Qulliit over the course of the coming year:

• Women and leadership — Qulliit wants to recognize women in the territory who exemplify leadership as well as encouraging and supporting women in more leadership positions, by presenting the Wise Woman Award and the Outstanding Female Youth Award;

• Violence against women — Qulliit will continue to keep violence against women as a focus. “Any violence in the home needs to be eradicated, however, the level of violence against women is still at a disproportional high level compared to other forms of violence,” said Qulliit’s president Donna Adams;

• Family wellness — Qulliit will look at each aspect of wellness and what services and programs exist;

• Women and justice — Qulliit will support community members’ concerns over the length or type of sentencing handed out to offenders who are found guilty of committing crimes against women.

“We [council members] believe we are remaining true to the core issues women face in Nunavut,” Adams said in an April 3 news release. “2011 also marks our 10th Anniversary of the Qulliit Nunavut status of women council, and we need to celebrate accomplishments of women to date and encourage more women to pursue excellence in the home and workplace.”