Board of Directors
ᐊᐱᖅᑯᑎᓴᖃᓐᓂᕈᕕᑦ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕕᖓᑦᑕ ᒥᑦᓵᓄᑦ ᐅᖃᖃᑎᒋᔪᓐᓇᕐᑕᐃᑦ ᒥᑭ ᐋᑕᒻᔅ.
If you have any questions about the Agency and the Board of Directors, please contact Stephanie Mikki Adams: 613-299-2352 or executivedirector@inuuqatigiit.ca
For the Board of Director’s Job description, click here. Candidates will need to complete a Police Record Check upon election.
In keeping with the philosophy of a community-driven organization, the by-laws of the Inuuqatigiit require that a majority of directors on the Board be parents of children enrolled in programs offered by the Inuuqatigiit, and a majority be Inuit. These measures ensure that all Inuuqatigiit programming is relevant to the community it serves. As such, our staff and Board of Directors are abreast of issues that Inuit families face in an urban setting. The Inuuqatigiit Board made changes to the 2011 By-Laws due in response to new legislation.
Our 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Amanda Kilabuk - President
Felicia Tugak – Board Member
Adam Gravel – Treasurer
Noelle Murphy – Board Member
Ashley Hilliard – Board Member
Doreen Irqqarqsaq- Board Member
Amanda Kilabuk (President)
Originally from Arviat, Nunavut, Amanda Kilabuk has served her life focusing, in both professional and voluntary capacity, on community-led initiatives that empower Inuit. Through her leadership in several agencies in the North, she has helped to create numerous innovative grassroots programming have promote skills and education, child development and research for the Inuit community. She spent her time in senior management roles at Tungasuvvingat Inuit as Manager of Employment, Director of Education and Employment and then Executive Director. She was instrumental in leading TI through the COVID pandemic, ensuring that there was access to food security, PPE and vaccines to staff and community members. From 2020 to 2023, she served TI as the Executive Director.
Over the past few years, Amanda has shifted her focus to address the myriad of issues facing Inuit women and girls. She played an active role in the MMIWG2S+ Urban Working Group and the Inuit Working Group which developed a National Action Plan and Implementation Plan. She was also appointed the Ontario’s first ever Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council in 2020. She is currently the Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S+) Urban Indigenous Action Group Director and works as a part-time consultant for Sivummut Solutions.
Being a RCMP spouse, she has spent some time in Rankin Inlet, Winnipeg, Iqaluit and currently resides in Ottawa. Amanda is the proud mother of three children Laura Hiquaq (18), Ryan Ulaayuk (16) and Emma Avinngaq (10). She is a “hockey mom”, and enjoys trying new recipes, cake decorating and travelling (particularly to hot places!)
Felicia Tugak
(Board Member)
An Inuk woman who takes pride in her culture and heritage. She has and still is learning her own Inuit culture values through thousands of years of living it. It helps brings all life a meaning and teaches people to stay humble. One of her favorite Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles is Inuuqatigiitsiarniq, it is an interminable meaning of being human and respecting.
We are open, caring, inclusive and learn from the wise to carry on their wisdom whom they’ve learned from our ancestors and their ancestors. Felicia now resides in Ottawa, very active within the Inuit/Indigenous community and is very excited to be part of an Inuit organization that help specific needs to urban Inuit. Ma’na, thank you!
Noelle Murphy
(Board Member)
A dedicated, bilingual registered nurse with over two decades of experience. Noelle is not only a passionate advocate for the Inuit community, but also an adoptive parent of an Inuit child, creating a deep personal commitment to the center’s mission.
Noelle’s career journey began with her educational foundation, including the RN and RPN Programs from Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. Noelle’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident through her extensive certifications including the Indigenous Canada Course from the University of Alberta, Mental Health First Aid Certification, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification. Noelle is an active and committed member of the board of directors at the
Inuuqatigiit Centre. Her involvement extends to working closely with the policy and procedures committee, where she leverages her expertise to drive meaningful change. Noelle also started initiatives such as a snowsuit drive to help ensure that urban Inuit children had warm clothing for
the winter. Noelle and her family have lived across Canada and had the privilege of living in Rankin Inlet, within the Kivalliq region of Nunavut for several years before relocating to Ottawa. Noelle Murphy’s journey as a board member at the Inuuqatigiit Centre, beginning in 2019, combined with her background as an adoptive parent of an Inuit child, uniquely positions her to aid the Inuit community and the well-being of Inuit children, youth, and families. Her dedication to excellence, compassion, and extensive experience in healthcare make her an asset to the organization and the community it serves.
Ashley Hilliard has over 15 years of experience working in Therapeutic Recreation in the Ottawa area. Ashley has worked primarily with children and youth with disabilities including autism, supporting the integration and inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in the community. Ashley is a dedicated pediatric Recreation Therapist with a passion for enhancing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children and youth. With years of experience working in clinical and community settings, she specializes in developing tailored therapeutic recreation programs that promote inclusion, community integration, and helping children and youth discover their unique interests and passions. Ashley is also proud to be part of the faculty for the Therapeutic Recreation Program at Algonquin College.
Ashley is the proud adoptive mom of a 4-year-old urban Inuk boy. Ashley and her husband are deeply passionate about ensuring that he is provided every opportunity to explore his Inuit heritage. Ashley and her family are deeply committed to supporting and celebrating Indigenous cultures and values. She actively advocates for inclusivity and cultural sensitivity within her therapeutic practice, ensuring that every child’s unique background is acknowledged and respected.
In addition to her clinical work, Ashley serves on the board of directors for the Ottawa Inclusive & Para Sport Expo, Algonquin College Therapeutic Recreation Advisory Commitee, is a Guider and Members of Girl Guides Canada, is the lead for the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Pediatric Community of Practice and other community initiatives that support people of strengths and abilities.
In her free time Ashley loves to spend time with her family going on road trips and building core memories.
Ashley
Hilliard
(Board Member)
