Speaker: Donat Savoie, Interim Executive Director, Inuit Relations Secretariat, Canada
Hosted by Tram Nguyen, PhD, 2022 UW Fulbright Canada Visiting Chair in Arctic Studies, this discussion series will address current issues and challenges facing Arctic Indigenous communities by directly connecting with Indigenous practitioners and thinkers in various health-related fields.
The organizers invite you to join them for this unique opportunity to learn directly from Arctic Indigenous practitioners about challenges and opportunities in their fields. Please register to attend.
Bio
Donat Savoie obtained in 1969 his Master Degree in Anthropology from the Université de Montréal. He did his fieldwork in the Inuit community of Kangiqsualujjuaq (George River) located in Ungava Bay, in Arctic Quebec. Afterwards, he joined the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada where he held several senior positions related to Inuit, Arctic, and Circumpolar Affairs. In 2001, he was appointed by the Minister Chief Federal Negotiator for the Nunavik Self-government project. Nunavik is the Arctic region located in Quebec where Inuit live. Appointed in 2005 the first Executive Director of the Inuit Relations Secretariat, position created in the context of the Kelowna Accord signed by the Prime Minister of Canada and Premiers of all Canadian provinces and territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut).
After his retirement in 2006, he was invited by the President of Makivik Corporation (organization that represents the Inuit of Arctic Quebec) to work on various files. He worked for Makivik until 2018.
In 2010, appointed Knight of the National Order of Québec by the Premier of Québec and was the 2016 Recipient of the Polar Medal of the Governor General of Canada.