Longtime Arviat youth leader Kukik Baker has been named as a finalist for the Transformative Leadership Award.
Baker is the executive director of the Aqqiumavvik Society, a community alliance of public, mental and community health groups in Arviat.
The society develops all research, services and programs based on the needs identified by the community itself. It is well-known for a number of successful programs, including the highly-regarded Young Hunters Program.
Baker said when she first learned that she had been nominated for the award, she really didn't want to accept the nomination. She said she truly didn't think she deserved the nomination.
"I had received the email and they were really encouraging a nomination for me," she said. "I was complaining to my staff members that I really didn't want to accept this, but they kept pushing it and then, three days before the nominations were closing, we found out that university partners who we work with at McMaster University were prepared to write letters of support for my nomination and it went from there.
"We work with many different universities, including McMaster, Carleton, McGill and Memorial."
Baker, 44, first started working with youth when she was just 12 years old.
She said she strives to do whatever she can to help people enjoy a better quality of life.
"The whole foundation of the nonprofit that I work for is based on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, so everything is community-based and we do community consultations, so, what the community is asking for is what directs our work.
"So, it's really fulfilling to be able to work with people doing exactly what they're asking us to do. When I was working in the government, I was always being told you can't do this or you can't do that.
"It's really freeing and fulfilling to be doing all the work that we're doing,"
Baker said everyone working with her at Aqqiumavvik in Arviat is going through on-the-job training. She said everyone being hired is from Arviat.
"We're all Inuit employees here. We provide training so that they can do their job and the research with our research partner. So, there's lots of training involved for our staff, which allows us to be able to help them take that one step higher with their work.
"The downside of it is that once we train them, then the Government of Nunavut wants them.
"So we have quite a high turnover, but being able to see people better their lives is very fulfilling too. As far as what continues to motivate me, I think it always goes back to being able to help people live better lives. As long as I'm able to always do that, I think I'll be, like, fulfilling my calling in life."
Leadership awards are accolades given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, contributing significantly to their organizations or communities. They emphasize the value of leadership excellence and its role in achieving strategic objectives and fostering a positive organizational culture.
The awards showcase exemplary leadership capabilities like strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, decision-making, innovation, empathy, integrity and inclusivity.
The winner of the award is expected to be announced on Oct. 21.
