Alumni Profile: Ruth Kaviok

Ruth Kaviok
2015 Arctic Expedition
Arviat, Nunavut, Canada

Ruth Kaviok is a believer of both traditional Inuit knowledge and western knowledge; living in both worlds does have its advantages. Bringing her Indigenous knowledge in any path she chooses, whether it be on expedition, post-secondary school, representing Inuit youth, or volunteering abroad, Ruth thrives in what she sets her mind to accomplish.

What stood out most for her during the expedition was visiting Greenland for the first time and listening to the Greenlandic Inuktitut dialect. Throughout the expedition Ruth experienced moments of culture shock, but working together in pods helped to build bonds, connections, and friendships through cheer competitions, zodiac rides, paddling, and hiking. She enjoyed visiting the historic sites, learning the history of the land, and listening in on the panel discussions. Overall, Ruth commends expedition as a whole for being very inspiring!

During the expedition, Ruth realized that Inuit who live in the Arctic need to have a stronger voice, as those who do not do not have the proper knowledge and are not fully aware of day-to-day life in the Arctic. 

“The expedition was an eye-opener,” says Ruth. “One key thing I realized was that Inuit who live in the Arctic need a stronger voice. They are more aware than anyone of the realities of life in the Arctic.”

To help strengthen this voice for Inuit youth, Ruth became  the 2017-2019 President of the National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC) all while she attended the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa. As the president of the NIYC, Ruth acts as the voice for Inuit youth living with the realities of climate change and hardships. Attending national and international meetings on pro-sealing, high suicide rates in Inuit Nunangat, Embrace Life, and other priorities of the NIYC were on her agenda throughout her presidency.

After attending Nunavut Sivuniksavut, Ruth volunteered in Lima, Peru through the Canada World Youth program. While in Lima, Ruth built ovens/stoves, cleaned wasted areas and helped with local crops.

Ruth is currently working in her hometown of Arviat, Nunavut as a schoolteacher after her experience substituting in all three schools and their Arctic College. She hopes to continue working with youth in her community, empowering them one class at a time. 

“I hope that one day, some of my students will have their own life- changing SOI experience.”