Speakers

Honourable Craig Simailak

Minister of Community Services Minister responsible for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Minister responsible for the Nunavut Development Corporation Minister responsible for Mines Minister responsible for Trade The Honourable Craig Simailak was first elected by acclamation in a by-election held in 2020 to serve in the 5th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut as the Member for Baker Lake. He was subsequently re-elected in the general elections of 2021 and 2025 to serve in the 6th and 7th Legislative Assemblies. Mr. Simailak was elected to serve on the Executive Council during the November 18, 2025, proceedings of the Nunavut Leadership Forum. He was formally sworn into office on November 20, 2025. Mr. Simailak serves as an Alternate Member of the Management and Services Board. During the 6th Legislative Assembly, Mr. Simailak served for a period of time on the Executive Council as Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation. Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Simailak held a variety of financial management positions at the Qulliq Energy Corporation over the course of a career that spanned almost two decades. Mr. Simailak has previously served as Deputy Mayor of Baker Lake and a member of the Municipal Council. He is a past member of Baker Lake’s Local Housing Organization. Mr. Simailak has volunteered as a supervisor at Baker Lake’s youth-drop in centre and has been active in the fields of search and rescue and amateur hockey. Mr. Simailak’s personal interests include hunting and fishing.

Honourable George Hickes

Deputy Premier of Nunavut

Minister of Justice Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut Minister responsible for the Labour Standards Board Minister responsible for the Human Rights Tribunal Constituency: Iqaluit-Tasiluk George Hickes was first elected in 2013 to serve in the 4th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut as the Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk. He was subsequently re-elected in 2017, 2021 and 2025 to serve in the 5th, 6th and 7th Legislative Assemblies. Mr. Hickes was elected to serve on the Executive Council for the 7th Legislative Assembly during the November 18, 2025, proceedings of the Nunavut Leadership Forum. He was formally sworn into office on November 20, 2025. Mr. Hickes serves as the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut, and as the Minister responsible for the Labour Standards Board and the Human Rights Tribunal. In addition to these ministerial portfolios, he is also the Deputy Premier of Nunavut. During the 6th Legislative Assembly, Hickes sat as a regular member, and served as Deputy Speaker, Chair of the Committee of the Whole and Chair of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts. During the 4th and 5th Legislative Assemblies, Hickes held a number of Ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Minister of Justice, Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation and Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. Prior to being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Hickes was employed at the Qulliq Energy Corporation and held senior positions in the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education, Department of Economic Development and Transportation, and served as an Executive Assistant to the Minister of Education. Mr. Hickes was born in Churchill, Manitoba. Prior to making Iqaluit his home in 2004, Mr. Hickes worked in the financial services industry. He has served as a volunteer firefighter, a member of the Canadian Rangers and a youth hockey coach. Mr. Hickes is married and has four adult daughters.

Honourable Ian Bushie

MiMinister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures

Ian Bushie was first elected as the MLA for Keewatinook in 2019. He is a member and former Chief of Hollow Water First Nation. Serving in multiple critic roles as well as deputy house leader, Ian also introduced legislation to mark Orange Shirt Day as a statutory holiday in Manitoba. Since his re-election in 2023, he is a member of Premier Wab Kinew’s Cabinet, currently serving as Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures. Ian is a small business owner in his home community for over 25 years. He raises his family in Hollow Water and looks to his children as inspiration for his work in improving the lives of northern Manitobans

Honourable John Main

Premier of Nunavut

The Honourable John Main Premier of Nunavut Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister of Finance Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs Minister responsible for Immigration Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council Minister responsible for Seniors Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board Constituency: Arviat North-Whale Cove John Main was first elected in 2017 to serve in the 5th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut to represent the constituency of Arviat North-Whale Cove. He was subsequently re-elected in 2021 by acclimation and 2025 to serve in the 6th and 7th Legislative Assemblies. The Nunavut Leadership Forum elected Mr. Main as the Premier of Nunavut on November 18, 2025. He was formally sworn into office on November 20, 2025. He currently serves as Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister responsible for Immigration, Minister responsible of the Utility Rates Review Council, Minister responsible for Seniors, Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission and Minister responsible for Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board. In November 2021 the Nunavut Leadership Forum elected Mr. Main to serve on the Executive Council. He was formally sworn into office on November 19, 2021. He served as Minister of Health, Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention and Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation. As a Member of the 5th Legislative Assembly, Mr. Main served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Chair of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, and Chair of the Regular Members’ Caucus. Mr. Main was raised in Arviat. Following graduation from high school, he attended Mount Allison University, graduating in 2002 with a degree in economics. Mr. Main’s international educational experiences include a semester of study in Oslo, Norway, in addition to an internship with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France. Mr. Main has held several professional positions in his career, including positions as a Television Reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Northern bureau, an Economic Development Officer for the Municipality of Arviat, and a Regional Business Officer for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. Prior to his election, Mr. Main was a self-employed economic development consultant. Mr. Main is a past President of the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the board of directors of the Nunavut Development Corporation. Mr. Main and his wife, Amanda Hanson, are the proud parents of Augustus Angmaaq, Odin Ihumatanaaq and Maeve Arnahungaaq. ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ ᐋᕐᓗᖅ ᒪᐃᓐ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒧᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᒐᕙᒪᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᓯᓚᑖᓃᙶᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᐆᒻᒪᖅᑯᑏᑦ ᐊᑭᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᕿᒥᕐᕈᔩᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᐃᓐᓇᕐᓄᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐃᒥᐊᓗᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓱᕐᕋᖕᓇᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᓪᓗ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐃᒥᐊᓗᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓱᕐᕋᖕᓇᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᓪᓗ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑕᐅᕝᕕᒃ: ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ ᐅᐊᓐᓇᖓᓄᑦ–ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᔮᓐ ᒪᐃᓐ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑕᐅᕐᖓᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ 2017−ᒥ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᒋᓕᖅᑕᖓᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ ᐅᐊᖕᓇᖓᓄᑦ−ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥᐅᓄᑦ. ᑭᖑᓂᐊᒍᑦ ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑕᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ 2021−ᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ 2025−ᒥ 6−ᖓᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ 7−ᖓᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᕕᖕᒥ. ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓂᕈᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᒥᔅᑕ ᒪᐃᓐ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᒧᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒧᑦ ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 18, 2025−ᒥ. ᐊᖏᖅᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 20, 2025-ᒥᑦ. ᒫᓐᓇ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᕗᖅ ᒐᕙᒪᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ, ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ, ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᓯᓚᑖᓂᙶᖅᑐᓂᑦ, ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᐆᒻᒪᖅᑯᑎᑦ ᐊᑭᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᕿᒥᕐᕈᔩᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ, ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᐃᓐᓇᕐᓄᑦ, ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐃᒥᐊᓗᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᓱᕐᕋᖕᓇᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓪᓗ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓂᑦ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂᓗ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐃᒥᐊᓗᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᓱᕐᕋᖕᓇᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓪᓗ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓂᑦ. ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎ ᐋᕐᓗᖅ ᒪᐃᓐ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᕕᖓ Premier John Main ’s Office Hivuliqti John Main Titirarvinga Bureau du premier ministre John Main 926 Sivumugiaq, 2nd Floor, Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 3H0 926, rue Sivumugiaq, 2ème étage, Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A (867-975-5151 6867-975-5051 926 Sivumugiaq, 2nd natiani, Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 3H0 926 ᓯᕗᒧᒋᐊᖅ ᐊᑐᕆᐊᖅ , ᓇᑎᖅ 2, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ. ᓄᓇᕗᑦ X0A 3H0 ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 2021−ᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓂᕈᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᒥᔅᑕ ᒪᐃᓐ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑎᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ. ᐊᖏᖅᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᖕᒧᑦ ᓄᕕᐱᕆ 19, 2021-ᒥᑦ. ᒫᓐᓇ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ, ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᐃᓅᓯᕐᒥᑦ ᑭᐱᓯᑦᑕᐃᓕᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒥᓂᔅᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᓕᒃ ᖁᓪᓕᖅ ᐆᒻᒪᖅᑯᑎᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᒥᖁᑖᓂᑦ. ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᑎᐅᖃᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᒋᓕᖅᑕᖓᓄᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᕐᕕᖕᒥ, ᒥᔅᑕ ᒪᐃᓐ ᐃᒃᓯᕙᐅᑕᕆᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᕋᓛᓄᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐊᖑᔪᒪᔪᓄᑦ, ᑲᑎᒪᑎᑦᑎᔨᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᕋᓛᓄᑦ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᓂᕆᔭᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔾᔪᑎᖏᓐᓄᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᑲᑎᒪᑎᑦᑎᔨᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓄᑦ. ᒥᔅᑕ ᒪᐃᓐ ᐱᕈᖅᓴᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ. ᐱᔭᕇᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᐊᓗᒻᒥ, ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᒪᐅᓐᑦ ᐋᓕᓴᓐ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᔾᔪᐊᖓᓂ, ᐱᔭᕇᖅᑐᓂ 2002-ᒥ ᐸᐃᑉᐹᑖᖅᑐᓂ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᐅᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ. ᒪᐃᓐ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᑐᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᔭᖏᑦ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐋᔅᓗ, ᓄᐊᕙᐃᒥ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᓯᓐᓈᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᓂᒃ ᐱᐅᕆᔅ, ᕗᕌᓐᓯᒥ. ᒪᐃᓐ ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᖕᓂᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔨᒻᒪᕆᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖃᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ, ᐃᓚᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖅ ᑕᓚᕕᓴᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᔨ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᑕᑯᓐᓇᒐᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᕐᕕᖓᓂ, ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᔨ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᕼᐋᒻᒪᓚᒃᑯᓐᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᕿᑎᕐᒥᐅᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖏᓐᓄᑦ. ᓂᕈᐊᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᙱᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᒪᐃᓐ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ−ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒃᑲᐃᔨᐅᓪᓗᓂ. ᒪᐃᓐ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖑᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᕕᓖᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᓂᑯᓗ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᑯᐊᐳᕇᓴᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ. ᒥᔅᑕ ᒪᐃᓐ ᓄᓕᐊᖓᓗ ᐊᒫᓐᑕ ᕼᐊᓐᓴᓐ, ᐅᐱᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᖏᔪᖅᑳᕆᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᐋᒐᔅᑕᔅ ᐊᖕᒫᖅ, ᐆᑎᓐ ᐃᕼᐅᒪᑕᓈᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒪᐃᕝ ᐊᕐᓇᕼᐊᐅᖓᖅ.

Honourable Nahanni Fontaine

Minister of Families

Nahanni Fontaine is the NDP MLA for St. Johns and currently serves as the Minister of Families, Minister Responsible for Accessibility, and Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equity for the Province of Manitoba. Nahanni holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Winnipeg in Environmental Studies and International Development, as well as a Master of Arts (M.A.) from the University of Manitoba in Native Studies, Women’s Studies, and Critical Theory. Minister Fontaine has been a dedicated advocate for the rights of Indigenous women and girls for more than 25 years, particularly focusing on critical issues such as missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit peoples (MMIWG2S). Her extensive service includes representation within the Indigenous community at municipal, provincial, national, and international levels and service on various boards and committees. Before her tenure in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, Nahanni served as the Special Advisor on Aboriginal Women’s Issues for the Aboriginal Issues Committee of Cabinet of Manitoba and held the position of Director of Justice for the Southern Chief’s Organization for ten years. She has received multiple awards, scholarships, and fellowships, including the 2021 Indspire Award for Public Service, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Doctoral Scholarship, the YMCA Women of Distinction Award, and the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Person’s Case. Nahanni, a Status Ojibway from the Sagkeeng Anishinaabe First Nation in southern Manitoba, takes pride in being the mother of Jonah, Niinichaanis, and her fur baby, Winnie Bear.

Jordin Tootoo

Retired NHL Player

Jordin Kudluk Tootoo is a Canadian former professional hockey player, celebrated for his groundbreaking role as the first Inuk to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on February 2, 1983, in Churchill, Manitoba, Jordin's journey from the remote Arctic community of Rankin Inlet to the NHL is a testament to resilience and determination.

President David Chartrand

Manitoba Metis Federation

David Chartrand, LL.D. (hons), O.M. President David Chartrand has been at the forefront of Métis political leadership for over 35 years and President of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) for nearly 30 years. President Chartrand is the longest serving President in the Federation’s history, currently serving an unprecedented eigth term. A renowned national and international Ambassador, President Chartrand has built one of the most comprehensive Indigenous Government in Western Canada. He has helped the Métis win several critical court cases, including the 2013 Supreme Court decision on the Manitoba Métis land claims. He was born in 1960 and raised in the Métis village of Duck Bay, Manitoba. The fourth of eight children, President Chartrand attributes his strong sense of identity and integrity to his mother Martha, who taught him that his name was the most important thing he owned, and that he must always protect it by acting with honour and respect. Under President Chartrand’s leadership, the MMF and the Red River Métis people have reemerged as economic leaders across a variety of sectors. MMF’s operating revenues have significantly increased to over $100 million in 2024-25, with capital holdings in real property, business, investments, and cash of over $250 million. Through its economic development portfolio, the MMF owns and operates a dozen companies that includes a pharmacy, procurement services, a resort and golf course, retail services, construction, real estate, and investment management. President Chartrand is a prominent voice in the discussions on economic development, and security and defence of Canada’s North. He shares a passion for the tremendous opportunities ahead with the Port of Churchill and Manitoba’s relationship with the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut and looks forward to working closely with other Indigenous leaders and governments to create a better quality of life for all.

Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell

Nancy Karetak-Lindell has been a strong voice for the North in Canada throughout her life. Born and raised in Eskimo Point (now Arviat), she has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by Inuit and has long been advocating for her region’s unique cultural, economic, and environmental interests. Fluent in Inuktitut and English, Ms. Karetak-Lindell worked for 15 years in managerial positions for the Arviat Housing Association and Eskimo Point Lumber Supply. In 1997, she ran and was elected as the first Member of Parliament representing the newly established riding of Nunavut and the first female Member of Parliament for the Eastern Arctic. She was re-elected in 2000, 2004, and 2006, serving 11 years in Parliament. During her time on the Hill, Ms. Karetak-Lindell was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and sat on various parliamentary committees, groups, and associations, including as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. She was also a key player in the negotiations to establish Nunavut as a political jurisdiction in Canada. After leaving politics, Ms. Karetak-Lindell worked as a consultant, independent contractor, guest speaker, election officer, and instructor. She was Director of the Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship Program, chaired the Indigenous Knowledge Program at the International Polar Year Conference, and served as President of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, where she advocated for Inuit at the international level. Ms. Karetak-Lindell has been an active member of her community, serving on the Arviat Hamlet Council, the Arviat Education Council, the Kivalliq Regional Education Authority, Sport North, and the Board of Governors of the Nunavut Arctic College. She also served as Chair of the Nunavut Development Corporation and of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, as a board member for Polar Knowledge Canada, as a Trustee for Nunavut Trust, and as Secretary-Treasurer for the Kivalliq Inuit Association. She helped found and volunteered at the Arviat Amateur Athletic Association and gave her time to various other community groups. In addition to all her accomplishments, Ms. Karetak-Lindell is also a dedicated mother to four children and a proud grandmother to sixteen grandchildren. In recognition of her leadership and contributions, she was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Tupaarnaq Kopeck

Financial Educator, Advocate & Founder of Money Masterlabs.

Tupaarnaq Kopeck is an Inuk woman from Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), dedicated to empowering Indigenous women through financial education and advocacy. With a background in banking and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Psychology, she brings a unique blend of financial expertise and human-centered understanding to her work. Currently based in Treaty No. 6 and Treaty No. 8 territories (Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada), Tupaarnaq is committed to serving and supporting Indigenous communities. Her work is deeply influenced by her studies in financial trauma, holding a certificate in Trauma of Money, which has shaped her approach to financial education. She recognizes that financial trauma is tied to systemic inequalities, colonial histories, and personal experiences—barriers that many Indigenous people face when navigating finances, saving, and wealth-building. As the founder of Money Masterlabs, Tupaarnaq provides financial education through an anti-capitalist lens, helping Indigenous women build financial resilience, access resources, and develop confidence in money management. She understands that wealth-building must be rooted in Indigenous values, collective care, and holistic well-being, ensuring that financial literacy is accessible and empowering rather than exclusionary. Beyond financial education, Tupaarnaq is a vocal advocate on social media, using digital platforms to challenge economic disparities, decolonize financial narratives, and spark conversations around Indigenous wealth equity. She blends financial literacy with activism, culture, and storytelling, using her voice to push for systemic change while equipping individuals with the tools to reclaim financial independence. Through her growing online presence, she has fostered a community of Indigenous women who are learning, healing, and supporting each other on their financial journeys.

Victor Tootoo

President and CEO

Northern Allied Nunavut Travel Inc.

Mr. Tootoo is President and CEO of Northern Allied Nunavut Travel Inc., a travel management company which caters to corporations in Northern Canada; President of AV Nunavut Fuels Inc., which purchases and distributes fuel to Northern Canada; President of Kivallingmiut and Auyuittuq Aviation, which provides helicopter and charter services in Northern Canada; and President of Nahanni Nunavut Construction, which provides civil project management and general contractor services. He also sits on the Board as an independent director of The Northwest Company. Prior to launching his commercial career, Mr. Tootoo held numerous positions with various governments in the North. Mr. Tootoo holds a Chartered Professional Accountants designation, and also attended Assiniboine Community College where he obtained a Diploma in Business Administration.