Inuit Youth name new NIYC President!

Inuit youth name new president, launch new magazine at Inuvik gathering
 August 16, 2010 – Inuvik, Northwest Territories – Jennifer Watkins of Kuujjuaq is the new president of the National Inuit Youth Council, an organization for Inuit youth aged 13-30 and made up of representatives from land claim organizations in Nunatisavut, Nunavik and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories, as well as the three regional land claims organizations of Nunavut.
 “Jennifer brings exceptional experience to this role,” said National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. “She is a proven leader in her region and I know that her talent for building unity will serve her well in this national role.”
 The trilingual Watkins is a past president of Nunavik’s Saputiit Youth Association. She will serve a two-year term as president of NIYC and as a member of the board of directors of ITK.
 “I enjoy speaking with young people and hope to share my knowledge and skills,” said Watkins. “I also prefer to speak Inuktitut and want to help preserve our language and reinforce it.”
Outgoing president Jesse Mike of Nunavut handed off duties to Watkins this week as the National Inuit Youth Summit got underway in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. The summit, which runs until Thursday, is an opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills and set out the priorities of NIYC.
 Some 80 delegates will take in workshops on topics ranging from printmaking and Inuit history to post-secondary education and Aboriginal health human resources.
 Inuvik also saw the launch of NIYC’s new magazine, called Nipiit, which means “Our Voice” or “Voices” in the Inuit language. The cover story, “The Darling of Mittimatalik,” is an interview with Nunavut actress Abbie Ootova, who starred in the travelling production of “Night,” which made stops in Ottawa, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Ootova’s hometown of Pond Inlet last year. A second issue of Nipiit is planned for next spring.
 The first National Inuit Youth Summit was held in Kuujjuaq in November 1994. The conference was an important stepping stone in creating a national voice for Inuit youth and marked the creation of NIYC.
 In the 16 years that have passed, Inuit youth have developed a strong role in their parent organizations and have become empowered to advocate for change.
 For more information or for a copy of Nipiit magazine, contact:
Patricia D’Souza
Senior Communications Officer
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
dsouza@itk.ca; 613/292-4482