On the lookout for Nunavut’s wisest women

Arviat elder Rhoda Karetak was honoured with the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council’s Wise Women Award for 2012 for sharing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit with her community. (FILE PHOTO)

The Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council is looking for Nunavut’s outstanding women of 2015.

Every year, the women’s organization recognizes women across the territory for outstanding contributions to their communities and regions by handing out Wise Women and Outstanding Young Woman awards.

“These awards are meant to honour women who are role models in their respective community and region and who provide volunteer, counselling and caregiver service to others,” said the organization in a Jan. 21 release.

Since 2009, Qulliit’s awards have celebrated the advocacy work, the support and the education given to improve the status of Nunavummiut women, and to encourage women to keep up their important work.

Nunavummiut can nominate a woman who they believe deserves to be honoured. Nominators must explain how their candidate is a role model in her community and illustrate her commitment and how her work has benefited other women.

Those who have already won a Wise Women and Outstanding Young Woman award are not eligible for a second one.

Each of Qulliit’s council members will help to choose this year’s winners by awarding points to their first, second and third choice in each category. The nominee with the greatest number of points is selected as the recipient.

Nominations close Feb. 16 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Call 1- 866-623-0346 or email director@qnsw.ca for more information or to receive Wise Women applications in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French.

The Wise Women and Outstanding Young Woman Awards are announced each year on March 8, to coincide with International Women’s Day.