For those who do not know the meaning of Saturviit, the root word, satuq, means “regaining what one had lost”. Saturviit is in the plural and thus signifies “those who regain what was lost” symbolizing hope of a return of those aspects of our culture that we may think lost, a return of the Inuit way of doing things and the pride in Inuit identity.
Saturviit is pleased to announce the appointment of 6 new board members, and 2 reappointed board members, who will each help support Saturviit’s work and represent the well-being of Inuit women regionally, provincially, and nationally. The new Board of Directors began their three-year term effective October 23, 2021. The Board members are:
Annie Angantuk, President, Hudson Straight representative
Kaudjak Padlayat, Vice President, Out of Territory representative
Trina Qumaluk, 2nd Vice President, Hudson Representative
Phebe Bentley, Executive Treasurer, Out of Territory Representative
Jessica Tooma, Executive Secretary, Ungava Representative
Margaret Tukkiapik, Ungava Representative
Lizzie Calvin, Hudson Representative
Annie Tertiluk, Hudson Strait Representative
Congratulations to the new Board Members. We would also like to thank the previous Board members: Winifred Nungak, Anna Ohaituk, Annie Nulukie, Annie Ittoshat and Louisa Arnamitsak for their role with the Saturviit Association and dedication to serving and representing the JBNQA Inuit women beneficiaries.
Sarah Samisack
Sarah is a very talented seamstress, mother of four and an up-and-coming entrepreneur. She has been showcased as a seamstress to represent Nunavik both nationally and internationally. Her first project, which garnered international attention, was with the second edition of the Canada Goose Project Atigi where she was a participating designer of a one-of-a-kind atigik.
Sarah was then selected to be the Nunavik representative for the Red Amauti Project where she was to design a Nunavik style amautik to raise awareness and honour MMIWG. She also designs parkas for local organizations.
When Sarah is not busy sewing, she is busy planning her own upcoming business. She is currently in the development phase of opening a coffee house in Inukjuak. This will be the first of its kind in her community, which is set to open sometime this year. We wish her the best of luck in her endeavours.
Community Project Funding Program
Saturviit has a funding program available up to $3000 to each Nunavik community, including Inuit communities in Southern Quebec. The actions of the community projects should be designed to make women’s lives better; be culturally relevant raise awareness, promote equality between women and men, encourage healthy lifestyles or other positive actions.
Click here to read more and apply to the community project fund.d at the end of the project.
Understanding the real needs of Nunavik women and working towards solutions is the focus on accessing services are everyday challenges for many Inuit women.
We, Inuit women of Nunavik, demand that violence directed against women and children must stop. All types of violence, whether physical or psychological, against women and children must cease to occur.
Saturviit has initiated several events, actions and tools that address Nunavik-specific issues related to justice, violence, and murdered and missing Nunavimmiut.
Saturviit believes that Inuit women are the heart of their families and communities. Several initiatives have been started to address children’s rights.