Overview
The ICC in Canada is a non-profit organization led by a board of directors comprising the elected leaders of the four land-claims settlement regions: Inuvialuit, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Nunavut.
An elected executive, including a president, two vice-presidents, and a secretary-treasurer, manages the organization. Staff members are responsible for day-to-day operations, under the direction of the executive director.
The land-claims regions provide core funding; however, raising additional resources to pursue the objectives of ICC (Canada) and implement its projects remains an important responsibility for the executive and staff.
ICC Canada Board of Directors
Lisa is from Puvirnituq, Northern Quebec (Nunavik), Canada, where she was raised by her grandparents Lydia and Aisa Koperqualuk. In 2022, Lisa became President of ICC Canada and the Vice-Chair of ICC International at the 14th General Assembly in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. Prior to this role, she was the ICC Canada’s Vice President of International Affairs from 2018-2022.
As VP of International Affairs Lisa focused her work in the area of international shipping regulations successfully leading the ICC to receive provisional status as the first Indigenous People Organization to do so at the International Marine Organization (IMO).
Inuit interests in self-determination, Inuit political and economic autonomy, social justice, and protection of the environment, culture and language are areas Lisa promotes and advocates for. She is fluent in Inuktitut, English and French.
Herb Nakimayak is from Paulatuk in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. In 2022 he was elected as the Vice-President ICC Canada at the 14th General Assembly held in Kuujjuaq, Canada. Mr. Nakimayak previously held the seat of ICC Canada Vice President (International) from July 2014-2018.
He is committed to ensuring that Indigenous Knowledge systems, and Indigenous People have a place at the negotiating tables and forum regionally, nationally and globally. Herb is also the Chair of the Joint Secretariat and Fisheries Joint Management Committee and a co-lead on the Arramat Project.
The CAO is a priority for FJMC and ICC. Herb and ICC/FJMC team have contributed greatly in getting countries to the agreement to better understand Inuit knowledge systems.
Natan Obed is the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. He is originally from Nain, the northernmost community in Labrador’s Nunatsiavuit region, and now lives in Ottawa.
For 10 years he lived in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and worked as the Director of Social and Cultural Development for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. He has devoted his career to working with Inuit representational organizations to improve the wellbeing of Inuit in Canada.
Duane Smith is the chair and CEO of Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, whose mandate is to receive Inuvialuit lands and financial compensation resulting from the 1984 Inuvialuit Land claims settlement. He was the ICC Vice-President from 2002-2016.
Aluki Kotierk is the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, the organization responsible for ensuring that promises made under the Nunavut Agreement are carried out.
Originally from Igloolik, Nunavut, she has held numerous senior positions in the Government of Nunavut and Inuit Organizations. Aluki was elected at Vice-Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April 2024.
Mr. Pita Aatami was re-elected President of Makivvik in February 2024. Prior to being elected into this position in 2021, he previously held the position from 1998-2012. From 2013 – 2020 he was the President and CEO of Air Inuit, a wholly owned Makivvik subsidiary.
His history with Makivvik goes back to 1987 when he was elected Board Member for the community of Kuujjuaq, where he grew up. In 1993 he was elected Treasurer of Makivvik, a position he held until becoming President in 1998.
Representing Nunavik, Ungava, Nancy Etok is the vice-principal at Ulluriaq School in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec. Empowering youth is one of her main goals. She loves being connected to the land and enjoying the incredible place where she lives. Nancy particularly enjoys ice fishing.
Nancy feels honoured to take on the Interim President’s role at Pauktuutit.
She feels that she and the other women will be able to pass along the unique Inuit strength, resilience, and pride to the youth in our communities.
Susie-Ann Kudluk, from Kangirsuk in Nunavik, was elected president of the Inuit National Youth Council (INYC) in 2023. Prior to this role, she spent nearly three years with the Qarjuit Youth Council in Nunavik, where she served as a board member representing Ungava Bay before being elected vice-president.
Kudluk’s leadership within these councils has been instrumental in advocating for the interests and well-being of Inuit youth.