Journalist, ‘tireless’ advocate win Qulliit’s women’s awards

One provides food to students in Coral Harbour and the other is a journalist and athlete — together they are this year’s Wise Woman Award and Outstanding Young Woman Award recipients.

Family Services Minister Margaret Nakashuk presented the 2023 Wise Woman Award and Outstanding Young Woman Awards Friday, on International Women’s Day, at the legislative assembly.

Teresa Qiatsuq, this year’s Outstanding Young Woman award recipient, expressed glee at the achievement.

“I can’t stop smiling,” Qiatsuq told Nunatsiaq News.

Qiatsuq is an Inuk journalist with CBC Iqaluit, as well as an athlete who has participated in multiple Arctic Winter Games in basketball and hockey.

In presenting the award, Nakashuk called Qiatsuq an “incredible journalist, athlete, culture and language ambassador, and mother.”

Qiatsuq said the award motivates her to continue making an impact.

“I’d like to think of myself as a future leader so [it] feels really good to be recognized this way,” she said.

Geraldine Emiktowt, this year’s Wise Woman Award winner, has provided breakfast, snack and lunch programs to students at Sakku School in Coral Harbour for more than 10 years.

She has provided funding for the program, and sometimes cooked, for 300 students.

“She is tirelessly advocating and is greatly deserving of this [award],” Nakashuk said of Emiktowt.

Since Emiktowt was not at the ceremony, Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki accepted it on her behalf.

Nakashuk said the awards honour Nunavut women and motivate others to create positive change in the territory’s communities.

“This year’s recipients are a great example of our values,” she said.

Both awards are given by Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, which has a goal to promote equal participation of women in society.