Amautiit is an independent not-for-profit society. It is grounded in the diverse realities and distinct needs of communities in Nunavut and will continuously advocate in an impartial way for arnait in Nunavut. Amautiit aims to:

• Represent the interests of arnait
• Support them to reach their full potential
• Lend a hand to overcome barriers and challenges brought about by the traumatic impact of colonization, racism, LGBTQ2+ discrimination and other forms of inequity and intolerance.

Amautiit takes its direction from its members through various means, including regular community engagements. Membership includes all women of the territory unless they wish to opt out.

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.

What We Want to Achieve

Amautiit recognizes that a wide range of issues of concern to Nunavut arnait – such as family violence, poverty and inequity in accessing health care and education – reach Arnait living outside the borders of Nunavut. Amautiit’s work will extend to supporting Arnait from Nunavut who reside in the south. Amautiit also affirms that the mission and roles of the organization embrace the well-being of all people, regardless of gender, age and ability.

Principles

Equality, wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth are
Inuit societal values, as passed down for generations, that underpin the work of Amautiit. These values equip arnait to live their lives in a good way and claim their rightful place in Inuk society and in their communities.

To serve as a trusted and reliable voice for its members, Amautiit will:

• Continuously seek input from its membership and peer organizations
• Use sound evidence to identify priority initiatives and measure success
• Collaborate with others who are concerned with the interests of arnait to increase capacity to address problems and find solutions
• Employ open and transparent communications and respectful engagement with government officials, politicians and service providers

Strategic Priorities

Build resilience and sustain women’s leadership in Nunavut

• Convene regular community gatherings
• Initiate mentoring and capacity-building activities
• Honour and celebrate achievements of Nunavut arnait

Reduce poverty and improve quality of life

• Work to eliminate the chronic shortage of daycare spaces and family resource centres in Nunavut
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of community courts, mental health and addiction recovery centres, and education and social work services

Examine and report on the provision and quality of services that governments are mandated to provide

• In collaboration with other groups and independently, analyze and report on the impact of policies and programs provided by the territorial and federal government and by other agencies that serve Arnait in Nunavut
• Advocate for improvements to policies and programs

Sustainability of Amautiit

• Adopt and implement a resource mobilization plan
• Negotiate partnership agreements

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.