Risk factors require that they be recognized and dealt with

A few months ago, I heard a First Nations woman say how happy she was that she had had a child, a beautiful healthy girl. But her next sentence literally froze me to the bone. She said: “I started fearing for my girl because she was a girl”.

Increased awareness regarding the safety and support of women and children

Although there is increased awareness regarding the safety and support of women and children affected by domestic violence, resource constraints create a challenging context for the delivery of effective services and real justice to women and children. In a previous work experience, the department assuring support to the community had one full-time person and one occasional additional person for just so many months a year. The community workers were there to translate and negotiate which made for an inordinate amount of work distributed amongst the agents. It was impossible to ever get it all done.

Quinuituq means deep patience

My immediate plan is to give conferences and hold photo exhibits on the subject of the Inuit reality. When possible, I will also tell legends and Inuit stories in parks and in events along the 8000-kilometer trek. This blog which I called “quinuituq” is an Inuit name meaning “deep patience”. One of the amazing things is that Inuit work together: they are able to view leadership as shared, understanding that the contributions of others are vital and that success comes from collaborative efforts.

The Challenges and Difficulties Facing the Inuit Mothers

Inuit confront the highest cost of living with the lowest national income 

Traditionally, women were responsible for maintaining their families and social order while the traditional roles of men as hunters and providers made them derive satisfaction from being able to take care of their family.

Despite the significant progress made in communities, Inuit continue to confront the highest cost of living with the lowest national income.

Moving Forward is a Way of Life for Women

Women tend to be where they are needed. It is not necessarily in elected posts, but the leadership is visible wherever it is about preserving and sustaining culture and families.

When women commit to something, they hang on

It might not be so visible in formal institutional areas of governance, but in the Inuit women’s workshop, leadership was assumed by my dear friend Annie.