Staff

Dr. Jessica Penney is a Nunatsiavut Inuk PhD Researcher in Sociology at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Her family is from Rigolet, Labrador and Carbonear, Newfoundland, and she was raised in Iqaluit. Jessica’s research focuses on the wellbeing and social impacts of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, and how these issues are linked to global structures. She has a Master’s in Global Health,  is a graduate of Pearson College UWC, and a Commonwealth Scholar. Jessica is a Research Associate at Qaujigiartiit; in this role she works remotely on primary and secondary research and analysis, writing research reports, and represents Qaujigiartiit on several research-related committees.

Shirley Tagalik is a retired educator living in Arviat, Nunavut. She is an active researcher in the areas of education, child development, language development, youth engagement, youth suicide prevention, determinants of health, healing, climate change, food security, and cultural revitalization. For the past 20 years, she has been actively working with Inuit Elders to document their cultural knowledge, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.

Shirley serves as a volunteer director on the Aqqiumavvik Society, a community group dedicated to addressing concerns through community-driven research and innovative programming. She is a Research Associate with the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, a director for the Nunavut Network Environment in Indigenous Health Research, and an advisory board member with the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health.

Tracy Wallace is originally from Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. Tracy is an inspired individual with a background in marketing and business management. With a degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing, Tracy has honed her skills in strategic leadership and team management over several years of diverse work experience in government, private, and non-profit sectors. Tracy continually looks for opportunities to expand her skill set. Aware of the importance of effective communication in all sectors of business, she took on the challenge to train as a graphic designer to round out her skill set. Tracy has enjoyed providing communications support to QHRC since 2021.

Lauren Nevin spent her early life in Kimmirut, NU but has called Iqaluit home since 2005. She is one of Qaujigiartiit’s Program Evaluator & Data Analysts, in his role she works on many internal and external program evaluations and assists on a variety of research projects. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.

Nancy Mike is originally from Panniqtuuq, Nunavut. She currently calls Apex-Iqaluit her home and lives with her four children. Nancy went to Nunavut Arctic College/Dalhousie University and completed her Bachelor of Science in Arctic Nursing degree. Her passion has always been to be able to work with other Inuit for the betterment of our well-being holistically, while utilizing our strong Inuit culture and language.

Moriah Sallaffie is originally from Nome and Bethel Alaska. She lives in Iqaluit with her partner and their two daughters. At Qaujigiartiit she is the Research Associate: Youth & Education, where she focuses on programs and research projects that centre youth mental health and wellness including. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Human Services from Fort Lewis College in Colorado.

Ceporah Mearns is originally from Pangnirtung, NU, but calls Iqaluit her home with her partner and two daughters. Ceporah has a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina, and is a graduate of Nunavut Sivuniksavut. Ceporah’s work focuses on Early Childhood Education, curriculum development, she’s a co-instructor of the Facilitator Training workshops for the Makimautiksat Youth Wellness and Empowerment Camp. In 2020, Ceporah became the Director of the Nunavut NEIHR (Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research).