Amautiit: Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association is led by, and for, Inuit women (arnait). Our work is about advancing self-determination, building strong families and communities, and ensuring Inuit women’s voices are heard in every space that affects our lives.

All Nunavut Inuit women—whether living in Nunavut or elsewhere—are Amautiit members. We take this inclusive approach because Inuit women’s lives are shaped by mobility, colonization, and community realities that transcend borders. Our work is grounded in the right of Inuit women to maintain connection, identity, and choice wherever they live. All members have the right to opt out if they so choose.

The founding board members of Amautiit met in December 2019 to discuss the path to take to improve the lives of arnait and families in Nunavut. The Amautiit Strategic Plan for 2020–2024 will serve as the guide for the organization over the next five years.

Principles

Amautiit lives by Inuit societal values such as Inuuqatigiitsiarniq (respect for others), Pijitsirniq (service), Aajiiqatigiinniq (consensus), and Qanuqtuurniq (resourcefulness). We also commit to Justice, Wisdom, and Unity as guiding principles for our work.

Strategic Priorities (2025-2029)

1. Food Sovereignty

Every family deserves healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. We advocate for changes to Nutrition North, track the impacts of poverty, and look at how climate change and housing affect access to country food.

2. Women in Leadership

We create space for Inuit women to lead—with confidence and pride. From research on governance to our Women in Leadership Conference, we celebrate arnait who lead today and support those who are growing into leadership roles.

3. Healthy, Strong Families

When Inuit women speak up, they speak for the well-being of families and communities. Our work includes awareness campaigns on child abuse, research on elder care, and advocacy for better housing, youth supports, and local opportunities.

4. Monitoring Government Programs

Programs and policies should reflect Inuit women’s realities. We apply Inuit-specific, gender-based analysis to monitor how government services work on the ground—and call for improvements where they fall short.

5. Emerging Issues

We stay flexible. Whether it’s responding to new challenges or amplifying urgent community concerns, Amautiit is ready to act where Inuit women’s voices are needed most.

About the Name

Amautiit, the plural of amauti, refer to the large-hooded parkas worn by arnait. Amautiit are not simply items of clothing; they are an ingenious way to keep a woman and baby or child warm and safe. The wide shoulders and deep hood of the amauti shelter the child while the mother moves around, and also allow the child to be shifted from behind their mother to the front from breastfeeding and care.

The design and construction of amautiit vary across Nunavut and have been adapted to new materials and technologies over time. The tail of the amauti (the akulik) and the materials used are just some of the features that distinguish amautis from one region to another.

In choosing the word Amautiit as the common name for the Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association, we acknowledge and celebrate the familial love, cultural pride and resilience of arnait in Nunavut.

How We Work

We build change in ways that reflect Inuit values—through respect, consensus, service, and working together. Over the next four years, we will:

• Grow our team to include dedicated researchers, advocates, and communications staff.
• Strengthen our systems so we can deliver high-quality, reliable work.
• Secure sustainable funding so Inuit women’s voices remain strong for the long term.
• Share what we learn through reports, campaigns, and public education.
• Build alliances with partners across Nunavut and beyond.
• Keep our work rooted in community input and Inuit women’s lived experiences

Amautiit’s work is for every Nunavut Inuit woman, whether at home in the territory or living elsewhere. Together, we are building strength through knowledge and laying the foundations of lasting change.