Coalition of Nunavut DEAs

Pat Angnakak is an entrepreneur and owner of a small business, Patikuluk Real Estate and Consulting Business.

Her business specializes in providing administrative support for businesses that are not in compliance with legal requirements of the territory. She also is well averse to the issues and at times the complex environment pertaining to Education in Nunavut.  

She is well versed in organizing and conducting community consultations regarding government legislature and its impacts on Nunavummiut.

Pat Angnakak was re-elected in the general election held on October 30^th, 2017, to represent the constituency of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu in the 5^th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.

Ms. Angnakak previously served in the 4^th Legislative Assembly. Ms. Angnakak served as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Independent Officers and Other Entities and a member of the Management and Services Board.

Ms. Angnakak was raised in the Nunavut communities of Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung.  Ms. Angnakak has lived in Iqaluit for 43 years. Ms. Angnakak is a graduate of Nunavut Arctic College and is bilingual in English and Inuktitut.

Ms. Angnakak, served as Nunavut’s first Deputy Commissioner, has held several senior positions during her career.  Ms. Angnakak has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kakivak Association, Director of Corporate Priorities for the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Government of Canada, and as an Executive Assistant/Political Advisor for several Cabinet Ministers.

Pat is currently the Executive Director of the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs and has served in this position since February 2022. 

Leonie Qaumariaq brings nearly 40 years of experience in client service and program delivery for Inuit in the Qikiqtani Region, with a strong focus on training, development, and organizational management. Since May 2022, Leonie has served as the Director of Liaison for the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (CNDEA), where she supports 24 DEA Office Managers across Nunavut by providing guidance and resources from her office in Iqaluit.

Leonie’s career spans decades of leadership in executive and management roles, including program delivery within Inuit and not-for-profit organizations. She has also been actively involved in federal/Inuit committees and has worked closely with Boards of Directors for various Inuit organizations.

A lifelong resident of Iqaluit, Leonie is deeply connected to her family, including her husband of 39 years, Levi, their children, and grandchildren. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is passionate about her role as a seamstress, crafting warm clothing for her family and extended community. Leonie enjoys boating during the summer months and is an avid fan of snowmobile racing.

Maya Jelali serves as the Director of Planning, Research, and Evaluation with the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (CNDEA). A skilled professional with extensive experience in policy development, program evaluation, and strategic planning, Maya has held leadership roles in government, Inuit organizations, and the private sector. Her expertise includes building operational capacity, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and driving impactful initiatives. Maya has lived in the North for 11 years, during which she has been deeply involved in her community, serving on multiple boards and contributing to various initiatives. As a dedicated mother, she balances her professional commitments with a passion for community development, traveling, and creating meaningful opportunities for others. Maya is committed to advancing the goals of CNDEA by supporting District Education Authorities across Nunavut to ensure students receive equitable and culturally relevant education that prepares them for a successful future.

Doug Workman, Manager of Policy and Research since October 2022, has a long history of service in Nunavut, where he has lived since 1978. With 15 years of experience as a teacher, vice principal, and principal in various Nunavut communities, Doug transitioned to roles supporting adult education at Arctic College and the Baffin Correctional Centre, where he developed rehabilitation programs. He later served as the first President of the Nunavut Employees Union from 1998 to 2014. In retirement, Doug was actively involved with the Iqaluit District Education Authority (IDEA), serving as Chairperson until 2022, and as Vice Chairperson of the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs from 2016 to 2022. His lifelong passion for education drives his dedication to supporting DEAs across Nunavut, ensuring students receive the best education to prepare them for their future.

Carla Oyukuluk is the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit development and research officer at CNDEA. Carla has moved to Iqaluit from Arctic Bay in early 2023 bringing her experience and knowledge of a DEA chairperson to the CNDEA. 

Angela Gibbons, originally from Coral Harbour, moved to Iqaluit in February 2023 to join the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (CNDEA) as an Office Coordinator. With a strong commitment to supporting education in Nunavut, Angela plays a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of CNDEA’s administrative functions.

Outside of work, Angela enjoys sewing, a passion that connects her to traditional Inuit craftsmanship and creativity.

Melanie Qaqqasiq is the DEA Liaison Officer at the Coalition of Nunavut DEA, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting the DEA board and staff by providing essential training, daily operational support, and research assistance. With a background in Career Development, Melanie has dedicated nearly two years to helping Inuit communities access training and employment opportunities, furthering her commitment to local empowerment and workforce development.

Her expertise in career development and support services ensures that the DEA board and staff have the resources and knowledge they need to fulfill their mandate effectively. By helping Inuit individuals gain the skills and training necessary to succeed in the workforce, Melanie is deeply committed to fostering sustainable community growth and contributing to the social and economic development of Nunavut.

Originally from Pangnirtung, Melanie has lived in several communities, including Naujaat and Iqaluit. She is passionate about the arts, with interests in drawing, sewing, jewelry-making, and creating various art pieces. Outside of her professional role, Melanie loves spending time on the land with her close family, enjoying traditional country foods, and exploring new places through travel. These personal experiences fuel her dedication to preserving Inuit culture and fostering connections within her community.

Silaqqi was born and raised in Kinngait, Nunavut, and has 17 years of teaching experience. She began working as a substitute teacher in 2005 at both schools in Kinngait, gaining extensive knowledge of the schools by taking on a variety of roles over the years.

In 2014-2015, Silaqqi served as the DEA Office Manager, and from 2021 to 2022, she worked as an Inuktitut teacher in Kinngait. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and recently taught at a daycare in Iqaluit in 2024.

Beyond her teaching career, Silaqqi has been actively involved in her community. She volunteered with the Anglican Church for four years as a reporter for the church women's committee. Following the destruction of the church due to a fire, Silaqqi opened her apartment in Kinngait for gatherings, hosting meetings every Saturday from 2 to 4 PM. She also contributed to fundraising efforts for the future church through sewing and baking.

Silaqqi cherishes spending time with elders and middle-aged community members, collecting and learning from their stories. She enjoys going out on the land during the summer to fish for Arctic char by the river. Above all, she values the time spent with her 16-year-old son, who has a passion for playing hockey.