Who We Are

Born and raised in Iqaluit, Emma has always been passionate about supporting children and families. With a background as a daycare teacher and training as a Therapeutic Play Practitioner, she brings a thoughtful, child-centered approach to her work. Emma began at the Centre as a Child and Family Advocate and now serves as Interim Director of Services, helping to lead the team and ensure programs run smoothly, meet national standards, and reflect the unique needs of children and families in Nunavut.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys creating art and spending time outdoors with her husband, daughter, and their playful husky.

Kaity Inookee is the Program Manager at Umingmak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, where she leads the delivery of programs that support children, youth, and families impacted by violence and trauma. She is passionate about advocacy and committed to creating safe, culturally grounded spaces where families feel supported and empowered.

Originally from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Kaity spent part of her childhood in Ontario before returning to Iqaluit to finish at Inukshuk High School. She then later completed a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Manitoba. Her diverse personal and professional background in mental health shapes a holistic understanding of the challenges facing northern communities and strengthens her dedication to community wellness.

Outside of work, Kaity enjoys sewing, sports, and spending time on the land—including camping and dog sledding. These activities reflect her strong connection to culture, tradition, and personal well-being.

My name is Jeff. As a child and youth advocate, part of Jeff’s role is to help make sure that the people who access Umingmak’s services are connected with the right people who are also here to help and get them what they need to go through their healing journey. In addition, Jeff is just a regular guy who is here trying to do the right thing. He likes to be able to provide help to those that need it and it brings me joy when successful stories happen, and feelings of fulfillment come after. Jeff has spent almost 20 years working in different ways to help Nunavut grow and heal for all of us to prosper in the future.

Originally from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Ulliaq has dedicated her career to supporting and empowering Inuit communities through mental health advocacy and frontline service. She is currently working at our Child Advocacy Centre as a Child and Youth Advocate, where she supports young people navigating complex systems with care, respect, and cultural understanding.

Her previous experience includes working at the YWCA Agvvik Women's Shelter, contributing to community wellness through the Embrace Life Council, and facilitating Inuit Mental Health First Aid with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Passionate about healing and resilience, she brings lived experience, compassion, and a strong cultural foundation to all aspects of her work.

In her free time, she enjoys hunting, boating, and spending meaningful time with her family out on the land.

Dr Miners is the Physician Lead at the Umingmak Centre. She is a Pediatrician with subspecialty in child maltreatment, earning her diplomat certification in child maltreatment pediatrics from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2023. She has spent her career working to offset the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and to care for and build support for children and youth who have experienced abuse within Nunavut.

When not working, she loves exploring the beauty of Nunavut, especially on skis, and is the proud mother of four children.

Nancy is a registered psychotherapist who works with children and youth to help them build skills, process challenging experiences, and feel more grounded in themselves. Nancy’s approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and curiosity. She draws from a range of trauma-informed, child-centered modalities, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Therapeutic Play, Polyvagal Therapy (PVT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Nancy moved to Nunavut in 2006 and have been supporting young people through volunteer and professional roles ever since. She joined the team at the Umingmak Centre in 2021 because she truly value its collaborative, coordinated approach to care—and its commitment to meeting children and families where they are.

As a mother of three, much of her personal time is spent in arenas and at various activities, cheering her kids on and navigating the daily rhythm of family life. When she can, she loves to spend time outdoors—camping, ice fishing, or hiking.