A free hands-on workshop for Inuit women in Rankin Inlet will focus on fish and their habitats later this week. The Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association is partnering with the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet to host the two-day session on June 20 and 21, 2026.
The workshop has room for about 25 people and aims to share knowledge about fish and the aquatic ecosystems that support them. Organizers say it will combine traditional Inuit knowledge with modern fisheries science. Anyone interested can sign up by emailing [email protected].
Amautiit is a not-for-profit that advocates for Inuit women across Nunavut. The group receives federal funding through the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Its president, Tara Tootoo Fotheringham, is originally from Rankin Inlet, while elder advisor Dorothy Tootoo lives in the community.
Rankin Inlet sits in the Kivalliq region and is known for Arctic char, grayling, and trout. The Meliadine River has long been a key fishing spot for Inuit families. In recent years, the Kivalliq Inuit Association led work to repair fish habitat and fix a blocked migratory route for Arctic char.
Local fish processing also plays a role in the community. Kivalliq Arctic Foods turns Arctic char, caribou, and muskox into products sold across Nunavut.
The late June timing lines up with the active fishing season, giving participants a chance to learn while fish are running. With support from the hamlet, the workshop offers a practical way for women to connect with a resource that has fed families here for generations.
