Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit is made up of at least five members who are appointed by Nunavut’s Executive Council, based on recommendations from the Minister of Languages. The members represent each of Nunavut’s three regions and are appointed for a renewable term of three years. A permanent staff of eight employees based in Iqaluit supports the members in carrying out their powers and duties.
Mary Thompson was born on the land near Arviat in 1946. Her parents were traditional drum dancers and singers and travelled to other communities and internationally to perform. Mary travelled all over the world with her parents and interpreted for them. They taught her Inuit traditional dancing and she got to know many songs.
Mary has worked as an interpreter/translator for the Departments of Justice and Culture and Heritage, as well as for a number of businesses. For a time, she was also an announcer with the CBC in Rankin Inlet. Her work has taken her as far as Russia to teach about Canadian Inuit.
She has been a long-time volunteer with the Sivullinut Society, assisting the Elders of Arviat in keeping the language strong in the community. She continues to host a weekly radio show called Inuktitut Uqausiliriniq.
Mary adopted and raised five children, all of whom are now adults. She believes that Inuit language and culture can be strengthened through determination and hard work.