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Women of the year
Iqaluit teen and her Arviat grandmother given Qulliit honours

Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Published Friday, July 20, 2012

IQALUIT
Terrie Kusugak has had some great role models, so it comes as little surprise that the 18-year-old Iqaluit resident and recent Inuksuk High School graduate has become one herself.

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The Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council named Terrie Kusugak their Outstanding Female Youth of the Year. Her grandmother Rhoda Karetak received the Wise Woman Award. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo

Hard work and compassion earned her the Qulliit Status of Women Council's Outstanding Female Youth of the Year Award, which was presented at her June 2 graduation, where she was one of three female valedictorians.

"I really enjoy my life and I think it's important for people to have role models," said Kusugak, whose father is Lorne Kusugak, MLA for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove.

"Looking up to my father and grandmother, my sisters and a lot of people in the community that I do look up to, I think it's important to have a strong voice."

Coincidentally, the council gave this year's Wise Woman Award to a woman who helped give Kusugak that voice, her maternal grandmother Rhoda Karetak.

"It wasn't planned that way," said Qulliit acting president Charlotte Borg, noting the difference in the two recipients' last names and the fact that each was nominated in a different community. Karetak won the award for her work promoting Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.

"She makes a lot of contributions to her community, not only in promoting her community, but in being a positive role model," Borg said. "She's very beloved."

For Kusugak, it was a great feeling to be recognized with her role model.

"I was really surprised when I got it and to receive it in the same year as my grandmother in Arviat, it was a great surprise," she said. "A lot of people can be noticed when they just go out and prepare things that promote a great lifestyle, that are really great with your community, and just being really confident in yourself and doing everything you can do because it brings out a lot of opportunities."

Kusugak's teachers at Inuksuk nominated her for her work with Voices, a group supporting young women living with mental health issues, and with an anti-bullying group. Borg knew they had made the right choice when she heard Kusugak speak at a Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut helpline fundraiser.

"It was very moving," Borg said, recalling Kusugak's words. "She said 'People around me said, we need more of this and we need more of that. More jobs, more salary. I thought, how about looking at it differently. What do we need less of? The immediate answer was suicide.' She spoke with the passion, determination, and compassion of someone well beyond her years."

"Women should try as hard as they can to reach their potential, even if it's making it through the day," Kusugak said. "I find a lot of women don't love themselves like they should, or appreciate themselves or know what they can bring into this world. Women need to know they have their voice and they can be strong and know that they are loved."

With about 20 nominees for each award this year, Borg encouraged Nunavummiut to nominate the strong women they love next year.

"Look around," she said. "Look at your sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, daughters, nieces, neighbours, people in your community. Put their names forward so we encourage more volunteering and leadership in our young women."

Kusugak hopes her award will inspire others to set a good example for younger women.

"I think it's important for people who are graduating and living their own lives, whether they know it or not, they are setting examples and they are role models," she said. "It's always very important to have role models, and even if you don't know you are one to someone, to act as if you could be."

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