AM – Inuvialuit/Inuit Identity, Indigenous Resilience and Building Trust with Panikpak Letitia Pokiak (AM only)

Presenter:  Panikpak Letitia Pokiak
Time: 11:00-12:15
Location: Vanier TBD
Max:  30

-to understand the importance of Inuit identity and how our worldview and perspectives are formed
-to understand and celebrate Indigenous resilience
-to understand why trust is an issue and ways to build it

open minds
open hearts
humble questions

Panikpak Letitia Pokiak, MA Anthropology

Letitia is from Tuktuuyaqtuuq, located in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. As an Inuvialuk, she was raised traditionally on Inuvialuit nunangat, spending months at a time on the land, seasonally as a child. With her anthropology background, she was involved in a number of archaeological expeditions on home territory, including the 2010 Archaeological Survey in Aulavik National Park in which the HMS Investigator was rediscovered in the arctic waters of Mercy Bay; she and the archaeology crew received the Excellence Award from Parks Canada. Prior to grad school, Letitia was instrumental in establishing the Giant Mine Oversight Board office, as well as supporting the implementation of the Giant Mine Environmental Agreement, which guides the remediation of the Giant Mine located on Somba K’e, Yellowknives Dene First Nation territory. She completed the MA Anthropology program at the University of Victoria in 2020, for which she received the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) & Proquest Distinguished Masters Thesis Award. Currently she is enrolled in the Ts’’kel: Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence EdD (Education Doctorate) at UBC. Letitia brings thoughtful, critical thinking and passion to anything she dedicates herself to. She is an advocate and person of service for Indigenous Peoples, and brings respect and humility in all her work and relationships.