Katie is the squadron commander of the Iqaluit Air Cadet squadron. At her school, she restarted the environmental club, and is a member of both choir and band. Katie also volunteers at a helpline and serves as a member of a Nunavut-wide youth advisory committee on climate change. She has competed in national public speaking competitions and previously worked as an intern at World Wildlife Fund Canada.

Akutaq studies Sociology at the University of Calgary. She continues to speed skate by training through the Elite Olympic Oval Program. She currently holds all of Nunavut’s women’s records and an Arctic Winter Games record in the 500m, where she also won gold in all four distances. In 2024, Akutaq worked with Ilitasiniq where she created a program connecting children to Inuit culture through culture-based activities through a summer day camp. Through this program, she hopes the children gain skills, confidence, and connection to their Inuit culture. Akutaq caught her first goose this spring, and this summer, her goal is to pilak (butcher) and clean an entire natsiq qisik (sealskin) on her own.

As a campus ambassador, cross-country runner, and environmental studies/community-engaged learning student, Anna has lots of connections and takes a wide range of courses with unique experiential learning. Anna’s passion for the outdoors and community never falters. Whether hanging out in her hammock on campus, building fires with Scouts, or coaching kids on the ski trail, she will have a smile on her face regardless of the weather.