About Us
Saturviit Inuit Women’s Association of Nunavik represents all Inuit women of Nunavik aged 16 and over who are JBNQA beneficiaries. As a regional not-for-profit organization, Saturviit strives to be the voice for Nunavik women and to represent their well-being and interests. Saturviit reaches out to Nunavik’s 14 communities and to Inuit women who have migrated south. We have a Board of Directors representing the different regions and communities of Nunavik.
During the summer of 2005, Inuit women came from each of Nunavik’s 14 communities and from the south to meet at Qilalugaq Camp near Puvirnituq, where they discussed issues they felt were important to their communities: parenting, child abuse, suicide, education, language, healing, and violence. They recommended the creation of a women’s association to strengthen the voice of Nunavik women. Saturviit, Inuit Women’s Association of Nunavik was created in 2006 with the mandate to promote the interests of women in Nunavik. One of the first actions of Saturviit was to declare a Manifesto to stop violence.
Our organization encourages women to take positive actions to improve their own social and economic well-being. It advocates at the regional and provincial level for programs and services to promote healthy women, children, and families.
Saturviit provides financial contribution and support to local women’s groups to carry out community projects and events. It undertakes regional projects and activities that respond to Inuit women’s concerns and interests. Saturviit also represents Nunavik women in an advisory role at the regional, national, and international levels.
Mandate
Saturviit is the Inuit women’s association of Nunavik and is a non-profit organization representing all Inuit women aged 16 and over. Its mandate is to give voice to Inuit women of Nunavik. Saturviit’s missions are:
- to support community projects that benefit women
- to develop activities to counter violence against women and children and improve their well-being
- to provide tools to help the women to fulfill themselves in the political, economical or in their social life
- to advocate for women and children in Nunavik
- to represent Inuit women of Nunavik in the national, provincial and regional meetings.
Board of Directors
The Saturviit Board of Directors is composed of 8 members. They represent women living in the three main regions of Nunavik: Hudson Bay, Ungava Bay and Hudson Strait, and Inuit women living out of territory in the South.
- Annie Tertiluk
- Annie Arnatuk
- Lizzie Calvin
- Trina Qumaluk
- Margaret Tukkiapik
- Jessica Tooma
- Kaudjak Padlayat
- Phebe Bentley
ANNUAL REPORT
Reports
Saturviit has produced several reports resulting from events we have hosted and research we have conducted. They provide in-depth examinations into issues that affect Inuit women and their families, as well as recommendations and resources on specific issues such as justice.
These publications present the needs and perspectives of Inuit women who are often affected by injustice, discrimination, and violence in particular ways that need to be better understood and have responses that are culturally-relevant that lead to the well-being of the whole family.
BRING HOPE AND RESTORE PEACE
It is well known that Northern communities, like other Aboriginal reserves, are in Canada among the ones most affected by all kinds of social problems. For decades, they have shown the highest rates of suicide, dropout, family violence, alcoholism, and so on. This reality is not so easy to comprehend and even harder to handle. Unfortunately, too many Canadians are unaware that the current situation is directly connected to still very recent colonial history; nor do they understand how it has impacted individuals and families.
Report of the Inquiry into Missing or Murdered Nunavimmiut
This report presents the results of a project initiated by Saturviit Inuit Women’s Association of Nunavik in the wake of the pan-Canadian movement to conduct a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada.
To document and address the issue in Nunavik, Saturviit organized a gathering with victims’ families and regional representatives at a campsite near Inukjuak in April 2016. Interviews were then conducted in the summer of 2016 with some workers, including police officers and social workers.
Concerns, issues, and needs were raised by family members, regional representatives, and workers about the loss of loved ones, the counseling and therapy services available in the communities, and the general conduct of the justice system in Nunavik.
Justice in Nunavik Communities
This booklet on Justice in Nunavik Communities was published in 2018. It intends to offer a broader understanding of what justice means in Nunavik, offering Inuit perspectives on social harmony and resources to help resolve conflicts related to the justice system. The purpose of the publication is to help women build confidence in their ability to govern themselves and maintain harmony in their families and communities.