University of Calgary
Iqaluit, Nunavut
2023 Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar
Inuksuk High School
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.
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