Natasha Karpik was announced as the recipient of one of the $5,000 Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) John Amagoalik scholarships for this year.

Karpik, a former social worker for the Department of Family Services in Pangnirtung, is currently on unpaid leave from her position as mental health and addictions program supervisor in the community. She says it's these experiences that have motivated her to continue her studies beyond her diploma in social services from St. Lawrence College in Kingston. She's currently in the last semester of her bachelor's degree in Indigenous studies at Trent University in Ontario.

"I came down to Peterborough with the intent of increasing my educational knowledge. I've primarily worked with Inuit, so I thought I would further myself in that field," she says.

Karpik has spent a number of years working for the GN, gathering experience in social work before moving into mental health and addictions counselling.

"Coming out of high school, I had a friend who was a social worker and she kind of motivated me to go into that field. I worked mostly in Pangirtung with children, birth parents and foster parents to strengthen their relationships."

The Pangnirtung resident aims to finish her degree this fall before transitioning back into her role at mental health and addictions in January.

"I initially chose Trent University because they're well known for their Indigenous services... Being Inuk... it was a big [surprise] for me that the courses were intended for [Indigenous] peoples in the area."

Not to be deterred, Karpik obtained special permission from the university to research and write papers on Inuit trends, interviewing Elders about 'Eskimo tags' and the historic dog slaughter.

She is hoping that her degree will "broaden my capacity to work with Indigenous people... Personally, I feel it will balance out my capacity to work with Indigenous people on the next level."

Karpik hopes to continue with her studies at Trent by completing an online masters degree next year. She feels that all three academic credentials will serve her and Nunavummiut best when she returns to continue her work in Pangirtung.

"I'd like to to thank the QIA for opening up these scholarships to Inuit... being a student, it's always nice to have this extra support. Thank you QIA, it means a lot to me."