With Qikiqtani Inuit Association celebrating a milestone of 50 years in 2025, we profile some past and existing Board Members and Presidents on our website and social media pages.
We appreciate the people that have freely given their time and information as to how QIA began and how much it has grown from the early years.
Enjoy reading!
Simon Awa – President, 1979–1982
Simon Awa was still very young when he first became involved with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (then the Baffin Regional Inuit Association). Motivated by his ambition to help Inuit advance their Aboriginal rights through the land claims process, Simon saw both the challenges and the potential for the organization’s growth.
He served as President from 1979 to 1982, leading a small team of about four staff members. Those early years were spent working tirelessly to secure the funding needed to operate what was then a fledgling organization. Simon notes how far QIA has come—from its modest beginnings to an organization with more than 150 staff today, as well as an economic development arm and other entities established through the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA).
Simon recalls how difficult the NLCA negotiations were, filled with obstacles. But he believes Inuit were successful because they never accepted “no” as an answer: “Inuit don’t know what no means—we kept pushing for what we believed was our Aboriginal right.” He remembers how the federal government at the time was reluctant to include the creation of the Nunavut Territory and its government in the agreement. The late Louis Pilakapsi famously told federal negotiators, “If you are reluctant to include Nunavut and its government, we can wait for the next federal government and negotiate with them.” Simon says this simple but powerful statement shifted the tone of negotiations, showing the determination of Inuit to secure their vision for the future.
Reflecting on QIA’s growth, Simon emphasizes the importance of cooperation among Inuit organizations, governments, and public bodies. He says that negativity toward government has not always advanced Inuit interests, but working together can. He encourages Inuit today to reach out to Inuit organizations for support, as they now have the financial and human resources to deliver many programs for beneficiaries. At the same time, he urges Inuit organizations to be proactive in their communications with the public to strengthen connections with Inuit communities.
Looking ahead, Simon stresses that economic development is crucial for Nunavut’s future, but it must be balanced with environmental stewardship. Most importantly, he says, Inuit must continue their subsistence use of wildlife in accordance with the NLCA: “Our culture and our rights are tied to the land and animals. We must protect them while creating opportunities for our people.”
