Ruth Kaviok returned from the tropics of Peru in March following a trip of several weeks as a volunteer with Canada World Youth.
Her Arctic home is much colder, but warming trends are on her mind.
SA国际影视传媒淭he seasons are rapidly changing,SA国际影视传媒� she says, adding hunting and ice conditions are affected by climate change.
Some conservation groups, however, seem to be fixated on aiding polar bears more so than Indigenous people, she says.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not about saving one species itSA国际影视传媒檚 about improving (the plight of) the overall people, the environment. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 all in one,SA国际影视传媒� says Kaviok.
Inuit knowledge should be incorporated in responses to tackle climate change, not strictly based on science, she advises.
Her travels as president of the National Inuit Youth Council SA国际影视传媒� a position she assumed in June 2017 SA国际影视传媒� have also taken her to other Inuit jurisdictions. In comparing, she says the Inuit language is stronger in Nunavut.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e working together to improve the language barrier and basic rights,SA国际影视传媒� she says, but cautions it will be a lengthy process. SA国际影视传媒淚t takes time to right the wrongs. It takes time to take back our identity, our language, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 possible since thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of resources.SA国际影视传媒�
Besides climate change, improving educational standards and employment opportunities would be among the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 most urgent issues, she says.
She also takes time to laud Inuit excellence.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of good Inuit role models that were pioneers like the first NHL player, heart surgeon, singers, award-winners, filmmakers, actors SA国际影视传媒� anything you could think of, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a first Inuk that participated and is celebrated,SA国际影视传媒� she says.
Her time as national youth council president ends in a few months and sheSA国际影视传媒檚 considering running for another term.
SA国际影视传媒淚 canSA国际影视传媒檛 even explain properly how much of a life-changing experience this has been so far,SA国际影视传媒� she says.
SheSA国际影视传媒檚 also pondering enrolment in a political science program because involvement in politics may be in her future, she reveals.
Kaviok, 20, was not quite a year old when Nunavut came into existence on April 1, 1999.
Her schooling, particularly the Nunavut Sivuniksavut college program, and her own personal research into the SA国际影视传媒淔athers of NunavutSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 negotiators SA国际影视传媒� made her appreciate how hard they worked and how far the territory has come since then, she says.
Kaviok has also developed a deep respect for some of the luminaries from the Kivalliq, like Nunavut commissioner Nellie Kusugak, who she described as SA国际影视传媒渋nspirational,SA国际影视传媒� and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, who has served as president of Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada and NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 Member of Parliament.
