Mary-Elise Coley

Indigenous Rights - Canada (North America)

As an active member of her Inuit community in Nunavut in Canada, as well as an active participant in the international Inuit community throughout the Arctic – Miali’s action plan aims to strengthen Inuit identity, culture and language both locally and internationally.

 “Circumpolar Youth between the ages of 18-30 make up more than half the population of the 155,000 people represented by Inuit Circumpolar Conference. Among the 4 countries represented are Greenland, Alaska, Canada and Chukotka (Russia). Inuit youth have had little or no opportunities to part in some of the most important decisions affecting them today and in the future. Having a chance to meet with other Inuit youth would bring strength to the choice that needs to be heard and recognized. Young people are eager to be in the process of decision making and want to be treated fairly and equally as a member of the circumpolar world. A chance to focus some time on Inuit youth views about maintaining our culture and language. The youth of today must be given a proper chance to be heard and as we are not only the future, but we are also a significant part of society today.”

 As the president of the Circumpolar Youth Council, Miali works to create and support a network of Inuit Youth organising in each of the Circumpolar countries. One of the major achievements of the past year was holding the 1st Inuit Youth Circumpolar Symposium in Augustin Iqualuit Nunavut. The forum brought together 15 young delegates from Canada, Alaska and Greenland who discussed the language issues concerning Inuit youth. The focus was on language preservation strategies. In cooperation with elders the Symposium produced a draft document on the re-vivification of Inuit languages. The final document is planned to be released in February 2005 and it can be used for advocacy nationally and internationally, as well as for local community organising.