Website lists Laisa Audlaluk-Watsko as interim board chairperson, after Looee Mike was named to post 1 month ago
One month after naming Looee Mike as its new board chairperson, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada’s website now lists Laisa Audlaluk-Watsko as the organization’s interim board chairperson.
The organization has not announced a formal leadership change, though, and on Wednesday the Pauktuutit board declined to comment on the update.
Pauktuutit is a national organization that advocates for the rights, safety and well-being of Inuit women, children and gender-diverse Inuit across the country through policy development, research and partnerships, and supports business development for women.
On Oct. 7, Mike — who is from Pangnirtung and had served as vice-chairperson since October 2024 — was appointed as its new board chairperson, succeeding Nancy Etok. It also named Audlaluk-Watsko, from Grise Fiord, as vice-chairperson following a regular board meeting.
The website of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami also notes the apparent change in leadership at Pauktuutit, identifying Audlaluk-Watsko as Pauktuutit’s interim board chairperson and one of three non-voting representatives on the ITK board, a position traditionally held by the Pauktuutit chairperson.
No subsequent announcement regarding a leadership change has been issued by Pauktuutit, which directed Nunatsiaq News to refer to its website for information.
Nunatsiaq News contacted Mike, but she said she’s unable to comment as the matter is being dealt with by lawyers.
The quiet transition has drawn concern from Inuit advocates seeking more transparency in organizational leadership.
Tara Tootoo Fotheringham, president of Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association, criticized what she described as silence coming from national organizations.
Amautiit is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing self-determination for Inuit women and families across Nunavut.
“It makes you wonder what’s happening behind the scenes when so many people are calling them out,” Tootoo Fotheringham said in an interview Nov. 4.
Her comments follow an unrelated upheaval at the Manitoba Inuit Association, which recently removed its CEO Nastania Mullin and subsequently launched an independent, investigation following allegations by some women against Mullin of harassment and sexual abuse.
Mullin has not responded to numerous requests for comment by Nunatsiaq News. He has not been charged with a crime, and the allegations have not been tested in court.
The Manitoba Inuit Association has not disclosed the identity of its new interim CEO or said which third-party organization will lead the investigation.
“What worries me most is that [the association] remains silent, even after a large petition and four weeks of calls for action. [And] Pauktuutit has also stayed silent,” Fotheringham said.