Accomplishments for Canadian Inuit Women

Foundations for an effective, responsible organization

Mission, Vision and Mandate – Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada was created in 1984. It was an early priority to study the landscape of Inuit and Aboriginal organizations, the history of Pauktuutit, and the emerging opportunities, in order to devise a Mission, Vision and Mandate that would serve the organization for some time to come. I then worked closely with members of the Board of Directors to facilitate their adoption of these important guiding principles.
Staff – Starting with 5 employees working without strategic direction, the organization grew to a full-time staff of 18 complemented by several experienced, expert and highly motivated consultants, all working within a well-defined mandate, vision and budget.
Financial – Developed and implemented rigorous financial management. Put in place two guiding principles: (1) spend every cent possible on projects to improve the quality of life in Inuit communities in the north (reducing indirect expenditures wherever possible); and (2) do not spend money you don?t have.
Management – Built work teams aligned with thematic priorities for Inuit communities: (1) Sexual Health; (2) Maternal and Child Health; (3) Community and Social Issues; and (4) Abuse Issues.

External Relationships

Policy development – In response to national and international deliberations focused on Aboriginal issues, and to direction from the Board of Directors, developed policies reflecting the viewpoint of Canada?s Inuit women. The 2006 publication, 'Keepers of the Light', outlines the Pauktuutit vision for a strengthened partnership between Canadian Inuit women and the Government of Canada. I also developed positions on a wide range of issues including traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights (TKIPR), climate change issues and human rights. Details of these and many others can be found in Resolutions of the Board of Directors and in the Pauktuutit quarterly, 'Suvaguuq'. See www.pauktuutit.ca

Representation of the Inuit Women's perspective in Canada and Internationally – Presentations before senior and influential bodies such as House of Commons Committees, Senate Committees, United Nations assemblies and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Increased financial support for Pauktuutit work – In the five years as Executive Director of Pauktuutit, the number of projects increased from a handful to over 30 and the funding for projects and programs from less than $800,000 to over $2.4 million. See the map on the last page of the 2006-2007 annual report showing the breadth of projects across Canada's north.