Pauktuutit
Encyclopedia
Pauktuutit is an organization in Canada
that represents Inuit
women. It was officially started in 1984 and is headquartered in Ottawa
for easier access to the Parliament of Canada
. Every Canadian Inuit woman is considered to be a member of Pauktuutit. Thus, no woman needs to pay for membership.
The organization is meant to promote social equality
for Inuit women, children's rights, and the improvement of living conditions for Inuit women. It also strives to obtain a larger role for Inuit women in Canadian politics, to preserve Inuit culture, and to encourage personal independence among Inuit women. To these ends, Pauktuutit has spoken out against sexual abuse of children and physical abuse of women, and has been concerned with housing
.
Similar organizations include the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
, which represents all Inuit Canadians; there is also the Native Women's Association of Canada
, which represents Aboriginal women
, recognized by Pauktuutit as an ally. However, scholars have noted the Native Women's Association of Canada has enjoyed more representation in meetings of Canadian leaders than Pauktuutit.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
that represents Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
women. It was officially started in 1984 and is headquartered in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
for easier access to the Parliament of Canada
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
. Every Canadian Inuit woman is considered to be a member of Pauktuutit. Thus, no woman needs to pay for membership.
The organization is meant to promote social equality
Social equality
Social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...
for Inuit women, children's rights, and the improvement of living conditions for Inuit women. It also strives to obtain a larger role for Inuit women in Canadian politics, to preserve Inuit culture, and to encourage personal independence among Inuit women. To these ends, Pauktuutit has spoken out against sexual abuse of children and physical abuse of women, and has been concerned with housing
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to those that have a median income. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial means of those in the lower income ranges of a geographical area, the...
.
Similar organizations include the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is a nonprofit organization in Canada that represents over 50,400 Inuit. It was founded in 1971 by Tagak Curley as the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada...
, which represents all Inuit Canadians; there is also the Native Women's Association of Canada
Native Women's Association of Canada
The Native Women's Association of Canada, or NWAC, is one of Canada's National Aboriginal Organizations, and represents Aboriginal women, particularly First Nations and Métis women. Inuit women are represented by the separate organization, Pauktuutit...
, which represents Aboriginal women
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
, recognized by Pauktuutit as an ally. However, scholars have noted the Native Women's Association of Canada has enjoyed more representation in meetings of Canadian leaders than Pauktuutit.