On March 2, the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council named two women for high honours. Elisapee Sheutiapik was awarded Nunavut Wise Woman of 2022 and Anna Lambe is Nunavut鈥檚 Outstanding Young Woman of 2022.
Lambe in recent years has burst onto the entertainment scene in recent years, giving performances in The Grizzlies, Trickster and Three Pines.
鈥淪he has a strong voice and uses it to fight for others and for what鈥檚 fair. We are very excited to see what she does next and where her exciting projects take her,鈥� said Margaret Nakashuk, Nunavut鈥檚 minister responsible for the status of women, who was presenting the awards. Naullaq Lambe, Anna鈥檚 sister, accepted the award on her behalf.
Sheutiapik, former mayor of Iqaluit, former MLA for Iqaluit-Sinaa and a lifelong activist for women鈥檚 rights and fighting for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women in Nunavut.
鈥淚鈥檓 the one who鈥檚 always saying we should recognize people, to be honoured myself I never expected it,鈥� said Sheutiapik.
This award came at a tough time for Sheutiapik who has been dealing with a recent tragedy in her life.
鈥淭he timing couldn鈥檛 be (better). I think I needed it now to remind me,鈥� said Sheutiapik.
鈥淢y husband passed in December, there鈥檚 a lot but this just reminds me that I鈥檓 still strong. Life goes on and this has reminded me there鈥檚 plenty to do.鈥�
And there is still plenty of work that needs to be done, she adds, saying while it has gotten better for Inuit women in some areas, it is not as much as it should.
鈥淒ifferent situations in some areas, in some areas I think (it鈥檚 gotten better). I鈥檝e represented (Inuit women) internationally and sometimes I feel as Inuit women we are more advanced in some countries but within our own not so much.鈥�
She said there is more awareness nowadays on the matter of women鈥檚 issues.
鈥淲e鈥檙e more comfortable to speak about women鈥檚 issues now. I think the next generation will be even more so.鈥�
She adds there are many hardworking women.
鈥淔ar too often we鈥檙e quick to share negative hardships but not enough positives. There are some amazing people doing great stuff. I know it鈥檚 annual but we should try to recognize people more regularly.鈥�
