Board of Directors

Nickie Batzel ᓂᑭ ᐴᓪᑐᓪ

Vice-President ᐊᖓᔪᖄ ᑐᒡᓕᐊ

Nickie returns to the MIA IAM Board and is proud of the work being done for Inuit communities. Born in Manitoba, her birth family lives in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. She has been a strong advocate for Inuit in Manitoba, where Inuit-specific resources are often underrepresented and those living outside Inuit Nunangat seek meaningful connections to identity and culture.

Nickie was adopted and later reconnected with her birth family, originally from Hanningajuq (Garry Lake). She has dedicated much of her career to education, with a focus on supporting student success and fostering understanding of Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing. These traditional approaches have grounded her and shaped her personal growth.

She also serves on several boards, enriching her perspective and strengthening her commitment to learning from diverse experiences. As one of the original founders of the Manitoba Urban Inuit Association, she values the important work being done to support the community. She served as President from 2006 to 2013, helping to develop foundational relationships, structures, and spaces that continue to grow today. This work highlights the ongoing need for Inuit-specific organizations, as demand has increased since the organization's early years.

Inuit have long been present in Manitoba and continue to contribute to its growth. While living and working in the province, many remain deeply committed to maintaining connections to ancestral knowledge while adapting to an ever-changing environment. Aligning practices with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles helps ensure these enduring values continue to guide communities today.

Judy Clark ᔫᑎ ᑲᓛᓐ

Secretary - ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎ

I am originally from Churchill, Manitoba (Kuugjuaq ᑯᒡᔪᐊᖅ meaning "great river") and an Inuk beneficiary of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Whale Cove, Nunavut (Tikirarjuaq ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ which translates to "long point"). My mother is Inuk and father is northern European. I currently work as Inuit Health Research Coordinator with Ongomiizwin/University of Manitoba, and as a Community Inuit Advisor for Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC). My background is in the medical field as a nurse for 32 years (1988-2019). I have experience working in mental health, community health, and psychogeriatrics. It has been a fulfilling career in nursing. My work with Inuit health has already been quite enlightening and engaging with the Inuit communities of Manitoba, Nunavut, and abroad. My work is centred around the social determinants of Inuit health and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (or IQ Principles) and incorporating those principles and values into my work. Current research involvement includes Qanuinngitsiarutiksait, Tools for Wellbeing; Inuit child welfare and apprehensions (UofC), perinatal care, access to quality medical care, Niqittiavak & Resilience (traditional food and mental health study - UofA). I am also taking a 2-year online program at McMaster University. I continue to work with and guided by Inuit Elders, knowledge keepers, Inuit community members, governments, partnerships, key stakeholders, and other committees/boards to help make the changes that will enable Inuit families to be safe, healthy, and well. It is a privilege to work with such knowledgeable, inspiring people!

I work with those who are dedicated to honor Truth & Reconciliation and to make those changes to reflect equity with the services they provide.

Ma'na/Qujannamiik/Nakurmiik/Thank you,

Jobie Sanertanut ᔪᐲ ᓴᓐᓂᑕᓐᓄᑦ

Treasurer ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨ

Originally from Coral Harbour, has been a resident of Winnipeg for several years, my professional background includes experience as a heavy equipment operator, and I maintain a strong interest in driving,

I am a husband, father of four, and grandfather of five.

My hobbies are hunting and driving.

Joanie French (Masak) ᔪᐊᓂ ᕗᕌᓐᔅ

I am an Inuk community member currently living in Stockton, Manitoba, with family roots across the Western Arctic and Nunavut. My Inuit name is Masak, a name shared with my grandmother, Alice Masak French, an Inuvialuit author born in 1930 on Baillie-Hamilton Island in the Northwest Territories. Her memoir My Name is Masak shares her childhood experiences and the challenges Inuit families faced while preserving culture and tradition during a time of significant change.

Leadership and community service are deeply rooted in my family. My great-grandfather, Charlie Smith, is remembered through archival recordings and oral histories for sharing traditional knowledge and stories that helped preserve Inuvialuit culture. I am also proud to be related to my cousin Dwayne Smith, who currently serves as Chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). These connections remind me of the importance of leadership, cultural continuity, and responsibility to our communities.

Although I currently live in Manitoba, my family remains closely connected to the North, including relatives living in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Maintaining these connections to our culture, language, and communities continues to be an important part of my life.

My background includes work in administration, governance, and community engagement supporting Indigenous organizations and leadership initiatives. I am also the founder of Nuna Events, an Indigenous-owned initiative focused on sustainability, storytelling, and building meaningful connections between communities and organizations.

I am honoured to serve on the Board of Directors for the Manitoba Inuit Association, where I hope to contribute to strengthening Inuit community, supporting Inuit families, and helping future generations remain connected to our culture and heritage.

Quana / Thank you.