IQALUIT - Nunavut's female political leaders past and present shared their journeys of success with women from across the territory at the Arnait Nipingit Women's Leadership Summit in Iqaluit on Sept. 16.

"The women in the communities are parents in different ways, you are the strength of the communities and you will keep that role," said premier Eva Aariak, who is also minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Aariak, along with nine others, took part in a panel discussion on women and political leadership in the North in front of an audience of 100 women. The discussion was one of the many events held during the summit, which ran from Sept. 13 to 17.

Called "Collecting, Connecting and Creating Women's Voices in Nunavut," the summit's goal was to support and empower women's leadership initiatives through mentoring, skill building and workshops.

Annie Napayok from Whale Cove presented Aariak with a handmade atigi embroidered with angels. Napayok, a former president of the Nunavut Council for the Status of Women, told Aariak and the other women on the panel she was thankful and proud of all the women of the territory and said she hopes the good work they are doing continues.

Those in attendance heard how women with families and from smaller communities were able to land in positions of power.

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq said when she was 14 or 15 years old and working at the legislative assembly of the Northwest Territories, she used to admire women such as Nellie Cournoyea.

"I used to think one day when I grow up I want to help other people too," said Aglukkaq.

Jeannie Ugyuk, the MLA for Nattilik, said it was a concern for trying to preserve the Inuit culture that got her involved in politics.

"If we want to get things done, we have to do things our own way," she said.

While she said she enjoys what she does, she does miss her family and her home community of Taloyoak.

Also on the panel were Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Donna Adams, president of the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, former MP for Nunavut, Patty Pottle, minister of Aboriginal Affairs with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Elisapee Sheutiapik, mayor of Iqaluit.

Betty-Ann Eaton from Iqaluit attended a number of workshops throughout the week.

"I wanted to hear where we are going, where we've come from and how we're doing," she said.

Eaton said she has seen and heard how there is a need for more healing and motivational speaking targeted at those who might be shy or have been abused.

The summit was organized by the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council along with the Women's Secretariat at the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. Other activities during the week included the opening of a public art exhibit, an arts and crafts show, a concert by Quebec singer Elisapie Isaac, a film festival and a community feast.

President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association Okalik Eegeesiak said Nunavummiut should not worry about losing Inuit culture, as young leaders such as Becky Kilabuk, Jesse Mike, Franco Buscemi and Darlene Willie are already at work to ensure it is preserved.

Willie is 26 years old and already had children when she became the mayor of Arctic Bay.

She said she knew she wanted to be a leader but she thought she was too young.

"I had never been to a public meeting before, I knew I wanted to be a leader and people believed in me," said Willie.

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