Nunavut's Eva Kakolak Avadluk honoured as 'Wise Woman'
CBC News | Posted: March 9, 2015 6:30 PM | Last Updated: March 9, 2015
When she was a victim of domestic abuse, Eva Kakolak Avadluk says she looked to the elders of Cambridge Bay for support. Now Avadluk, is being recognized as a pillar of support for young women in that community.
"When someone, a young person, a young man or a woman, or anyone needs my advice, they phone me up," says Avadluk.
"[They] say, 'OK, I need someone to talk to' and I open my home and I welcome them to my home and we have one-to-one visits with them."
On Friday, the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council named Avadluk this year's Wise Woman calling her a 'role model,' who takes care of her family and grandchildren.
"I've been through this in my journey. And I think it helps me along the way that I can help someone who needs me."
Avadluk says when she was young, people in Cambridge Bay didn't have the same kind of support when dealing with domestic violence.
"[I was] telling myself over and over, 'I can't stay silent. I have to stand up for myself and stand up against violence and just be there for myself and my family.'"
The Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council is named after the plural form of the word qulliq, which is an oil lamp traditionally used by Inuit women.
"I have been so privileged to do the lighting of the qulliq when there are special ceremonies in the communities."
Avadluk says she encourages youth in the community to light their qulliq in order to help keep that part of Inuit culture alive.
Young women honoured
The women's council also handed out two Outstanding Young Woman Awards this year, to Iqaluit's Joselyn Morrison and Arviat's Charlene Ukutak.
Morrison, who grew up in Iqaluit, was recognized for her volunteer work with local youth. She started a soccer program at Aqsarniit Middle School and is also the president of the Nunavut Soccer Association.
"Once I got my education degree and I came back up here to teach, I thought it was important to give back to my community and do the same that others did for me, growing up."
Ukutak got the honour for her engagement with youth and efforts to prevent suicide.