Qulliit honours Nunavut’s wisest women

Eva Kakolak Avadluk, honoured with this year’s Wise Woman award, walks with her two sons, Anthony and Ashlee Otokiak, who are blind, in the 2014 Embrace Life march around Cambridge Bay. (FILE PHOTO)

Three Nunavut women have been honoured for their territorial contributions on everything from violence and suicide prevention to the promotion of arts and sports among Nunavummiut youth.

Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council announced March 6 the recipients of this year’s Wise Woman and Outstanding Young Women Awards — given each your to recognize role models in Nunavut’s communities.

This year, Qulliit honoured Cambridge Bay elder Eva Kakolak Avadluk as an advocate for her community and for traditional Inuit culture and also as a caregiver to her family.

Kakolak, cares for her two blind sons, both in their 30s. But she finds time to counsel other youth and elders in the community as well, and has taken a public stand against domestic violence.

Qulliit awarded its Outstanding Young Woman Award to two women.

Charlene Ukutak of Arviat was awarded for her efforts to prevent suicide by engaging youth in her Kivalliq community and helping community members develop their skills and talents.

“She helps to keep people active and happy so that they can overcome obstacles,” Qulliit said in a March 6 release.

Another young woman, Joselyn Morrison of Iqaluit, received the same award for her volunteer work with the Nunavut soccer association where she serves as president.

Morrison also helps to run the Aqsarniit choir which performs at the school and at community events.

Qulliit established its Wise Woman and Outstanding Young Woman awards in 2009 as a way to recognize the important work Nunavummiut women do across the territory, often as volunteers.

“We are encouraged to keep the Wise Woman and Outstanding Young Woman awards available to Nunavut women as this recognition helps foster and promote the growth of positive activities in our communities and encourages the participation of all women in creating a strong, healthy and prosperous Nunavut,” said Qulliit president Charlotte Borg, in the release.