The spark that inspired change
This society was birthed through my personal experience accessing services in all stages of my life living in the Kitikmeot Region. As a young girl growing up, I observed many challenges faced by my peers as well as the lack of community resources and support that were unavailable to us. I have had the opportunity to work in social settings and human service programs across the Kitikmeot Region and Territory-wide. From these works and my personal experiences, I noticed that there is a lot to be done through community-led initiatives to support our own Inuit people of all ages.
When my dad first got sick, he witnessed me fighting to have rights for my mom as his escort because he is Non-Inuit. He did not have the same rights that his wife, myself, my siblings, or children have. When I was able to get my mom accommodations, my dad wanted to know if it was only a one-time thing or if I changed it for everyone. I told him it might just be for my mom. He sounded so disappointed that it had not changed for everyone. He told me that I should “fight to have it changed”.
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Kendall Aknavigak
President