The newly appointed president of the National Inuit Youth Council, Gwen Natsiq, is determined to prioritize enhancing the accessibility of mental health services and education for youth during her two-year term. Elected on June 5 at the age of 21, Natsiq will be representing Inuit communities nationwide from 2025 to 2027.
Expressing her gratitude and excitement for the opportunity, Natsiq emphasized her commitment to advocating for Inuit youth by securing a permanent position on the boards of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, in addition to being an observer on the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee. She highlighted the importance of having a voice in decision-making processes that impact Inuit youth.
Currently pursuing a teaching degree at Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit, where she previously held the role of student council president, Natsiq also has experience as a mental health outreach worker. Drawing from personal experiences with family members affected by mental health issues, she is driven to support young individuals, particularly in accessing mental health resources.
Natsiq outlined her immediate plan to distribute a survey to gather input from fellow Inuit youth on their expectations from her leadership. The National Inuit Youth Council acknowledged and appreciated the candidacy of the other three contenders, Trevor Wright, Davina McLeod, and Nia Morris, in the presidential race.
