Eleven current and former Makivvik employees complete McGill University Public Administration and Governance Certificate Program
The program, which ran for three and a half years, culminated in a convocation ceremony on June 3 at McGill’s downtown Montreal campus. Indigenous graduates were also celebrated by family, faculty, community members, and peers in a special event filled with culture, speeches, and throat-singing by graduate Phoebe Atagotaaluk and her daughter.
“This is more than just education, it’s about building capacity, leadership, and investing in careers,” said George Berthe, Makivvik’s Treasurer. “These women are role models for their families, for all of us at Makivvik, and for Nunavik. We hope others follow in their footsteps.”
The 10-course program was designed to give participants formal training in governance, leadership, and administration. For Laly Keatainak, a travel coordinator at Makivvik, joining the program was an unexpected journey that turned into something she feels every employee should experience.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m so glad I did. I learned things that really help us work better and more efficiently.”
Keatainak juggled her studies while raising three young children—often working on assignments late into the night.
“Trying to read and write with three small kids… forget it! I could only work when they were asleep,” she said. “But I wanted to show them that anything is possible.”
“It’s an amazing feeling—it’s like getting your first job all over again.”
For Victoria Okpik, who works in Makivvik’s Justice Department, the journey presented very different challenges. Midway through the program, she was diagnosed with cancer and had to pause her studies for a year of treatment.
“I had to step away, then come back and make up what I missed,” she said. “Finishing felt like such a relief after everything.”
Okpik also played a key role in shaping the graduation ceremony to reflect Inuit identity. After seeing past Indigenous McGill graduates wear sashes with symbols like feathers and turtles which are important in other Indigenous cultures, but not Inuit, she pushed for a change.
“We wanted something that represents us,” she explained. “We chose the Inukshuk, which symbolizes guidance and represents both men and women in our culture. I asked that we use a style without arms, and everyone agreed. We did keep the feather, to honour the Anishinabe territory where McGill is located.”
The inaugural graduated cohort of McGill’s Public Administration and Governance Certificate Program includes:
Phoebe Atagotaaluk
Liliane Emudluk
Laly Keatainak
Navarana Kleist
Lynn Moorhouse
Tammy Nolan
Victoria Okpik
Nancy White
Dannella Okpik
Jennifer Matchett
Laina Grey
