Manitoba Inuit Association

Board of Directors

Michael Kusugak ᒪᐃᑯ. ᑯᓱᒐᒃ

President, Board of Director ᐃᒃᓯᕙᐅᑕᕐᒃ

Michael grew up in Repulse Bay, NU. During his childhood, his family travelled by dog sled, living a traditional Inuit lifestyle. He is the author of twelve children's books, including: The Littlest Sled Dog, The Curse of the Shaman, T is for Territories, Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails, winner of the Ruth Schwartz Award; Hide and Seek; My Arctic 1, 2, 3; and Baseball Bats for Christmas; and was co-writer of A Promise Is a Promise (with Robert Munsch). Michael lives in Rural, Manitoba. Michael is listed on the National Speakers Bureau. He enjoys serving Inuit and the IAM-MIA Board.

Joanie French ᔪᐊᓐᓃ ᕗᔨᐊᓐᔅ

Treasurer ᑮᓐᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨ

Bio Coming Soon

Peter Alareak ᐲᑕ ᐊᓪᓚᕆᐊᖅ

I am 80 years old, a widower, father, grandfather, great grandfather. I am a trained counsellor. In the past, I worked as a justice of the peace for the Arviat area, served on Kivalliq board, and was a hamlet counsellor for Arviat. My first job was at Hudson Bay as a clerk for 3 years. My hobbies are hunting and harvesting for food. Now an IAM-MIA board member.

Goota Ashoona ᒎᑕ ᐊᓲᓐᓇ

I am an Inuit artist (carving, sewing, drawing, throat singing) from Cape Dorset, NU. I left my family home in 1994, moved to Yellowknife, NWT, now I am living in Winnipeg, MB since 2017. I used to work at a school teaching and storytelling of how my grandparents and parents lived on the land, I among many things, I learned to carve from my parents. I am currently working at the Winnipeg Art Gallery part-time. I am a mother of twins. Now a new board member of IAM-MIA.

Trevor Wright. ᑐᔨᐊᕗᔾ ᔭᐃᑦ

Youth Board Member ᒪᒃᑯᑐᓐᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᒻᒪᔨ

We are becoming everything our ancestors dreamed of," a profound statement that encapsulates the essence of our progress and achievement. As a proud member Inuit Association of Manitoba, Board of Directors. My family calls me Inukshuk I am from Winnipeg, with roots in Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour, Nunavut, as well as St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, I am deeply honored to contribute to this legacy. Currently I am a student at CPA Western School of Business, I strive to honor the vision of those who came before us, while pioneering new frontiers. Together, we are creating a world where dreams are not only realized but are surpassed, fostering innovation and excellence for generations to come.