DECEMBER 2, 1953

INUIT ACTIVIST/NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINEE SHEILA WATT-CLOUTIER BORN

Sheila, born in Nunavik, Northern Quebec (NQ), was sent at age 10 to school in Manitoba & Nova Scotia before studying at McGill University. Starting as Inuktitut Translator, Ungava Hospital (1970s), she became: Counsellor, NQ education system (1991-95); Corporate Secretary, Makivik (Inuit land-claim) Corporation; 2-term President, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada; and ICC International Chair (2002-06). In 2005, she petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights over greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. In 2015, Shelia released her memoir, The Right to Be Cold.Awards/honors include: Global Environment Award, World Association of NGOs (2003); Indspire Award (2004); Sophie Foundation Prize, Champion of the Earth Award (U.N.), and Ontario Governor General’s Northern Medal (all 2005); International Environmental Leadership Award, Order of Greenland, and Officer, Order of Canada (all 2006); Nobel Peace Prize Nomination, and Rachel Carson Prize (all 2007).

Sources:
“Sheila Watt-Cloutier.” Right Livelihood.org.  Retrieved 1/19/2024, https://rightlivelihood.org/the-change-makers/find-a-laureate/sheila-watt-cloutier/
Wikipedia
“Inuit seek us attention to global warming,” cultural survival, https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/inuit-seek-us-attention-global-warming
Photo:  TheSilentphotographer, 3/29/2009.  Permissive Use.