Rosemarie Kuptana, 1954-
She is a former president of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.
She became involved in Inuit organizations around 1975 in discussions
between Inuit and the Government of Canada regarding Inuit land
rights. In 1979, she joined the Northern Service Branch of the
CBC, and subsequently joined the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation
as a Production Co-ordinator and as President from 1983-1988.
From 1986 to 1989, she was the Canadian Vice-president for the
Inuit Circumpolar Conference. From 1991 to 1996, She served as
President of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada where she led negotiations
seeking recognition of the inherent right of self-government of
indigenous peoples. In 1995-1996, Kuptana was President of the
Inuit Circumpolar Conference and helped establish the Arctic Council.
Kuptana has received many awards for her service in the protection
of Inuit culture and Inuit rights: the Order of Canada, the Governor
General’s Confederation Medal, the 1994 National Aboriginal
Achievement Award and honourary doctorates from Trent and York
Universities. A longer biography appears in Native Leaders
of Canada.