Pauktuutit appoints new interim president

Pauktuutit has announced its president Gerri Sharpe will step down from the role after choosing not to seek re-election.

The national non-profit Inuit women’s organization appointed Nancy Etok as interim president at its annual general meeting in Ottawa earlier this week.

“President Sharpe has been an invaluable leader for Pauktuutit during a time of great change and growth for the organization and we share deep gratitude and appreciation for her tenure,” a spokesperson for the organization said Friday.

During her tenure, Sharpe helped the organization participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues advocating for Inuit women in the resource extraction industry.

Sharpe, a Yellowknife resident originally from Gjoa Haven, met with Māori and government leaders in Aotearoa-New Zealand and attended Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami board and Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee leaders’ meetings, Pauktuutit noted in announcing her departure.

“The issues our communities face continue to grow — Inuit women face the highest rates of violence in Canada, struggle to access culturally appropriate midwifery and health services, and work tirelessly to feed their families while battling high rates of food insecurity in Inuit Nunangat,” Sharpe said in a statement.

“My vision for Pauktuutit is that all Inuit women’s voices are heard, regardless of where they live.”

Pauktuutit also welcomed new board members in the following seats:

• Nunatsiavut: Vanessa ‘Sissy’ Webb, acclaimed new board member;
• Kivalliq: Nancy Uluadlauk–Gibbons, elected new board member;
• Kitikmeot: Josephine Tucktoo, acclaimed returning member;
• Iqaluit, Nunavut: Elisapee Sheutiapik, elected, returning member;
• Yellowknife, NWT: Pauline Saturgina Tardiff, acclaimed new board member;
• The Qikiqtani North, Nunavut seat remains vacant.