Inuit Qaujisarvingat Staff

Scot Nickels

Scot Nickels began working for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), formerly Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC), in 1998 as the Director of the Environment Department.  In 2006, Scot became ITK’s Senior Science Advisor, responsible for advising the executive and staff on research and science related environmental and human health issues.  More recently, in January of 2010, Scot expanded his science advising role to become the Director of the Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre and has been instrumental in the Centre’s development.

Scot received his PhD in 2000, from the Department of Geography at McGill University.  He received his Masters Degree in 1995, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Manitoba, as well as a technical diploma in renewable resources and wildlife management from Lethbridge Community College, Alberta.   

During the past few years at ITK, Scot has co-authored a book called, Unikkaaqatigiit, Putting the Human Face on Climate Change, Perspectives from Inuit in Canada, as well as a report called, Negotiating Research Relationships with Inuit Communities: A Guide for Researchers.  Scot has authored several peer-reviewed articles and has given numerous national and international presentations on environment related topics.  He has many years of experience working with Inuit Regions and communities on issues related to the environment and human health. 

Scot speaks both English and French, is married, and is the proud father of two children.

Karen Kelley

Karen joined Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre in January 2011 as a researcher. She completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto in May, 2007 with a specialist in Environmental Studies and a minor in Geography. In the fall of 2009 she completed her Masters in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Carleton University with a thesis titled Policies and Practicalities of Shipping in Changing Ice Conditions: A case study from Cape Dorset, Nunavut. It was during her time at university that her passion for the Arctic truly developed. Upon graduating she was recruited to work at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada as an Analyst before making the move to Inuit Qaujisarvingat. Karen is excited to be a part of Inuit Qaujisarvingat where she is working on issues that are important to Canada’s Arctic regionand continues to learn new things every day.

Martin Lougheed

Martin is a project coordinator for Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami since 2009. Martin's family roots come from Hopedale, Nunatsiavut; however he was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario.  He attended the University of Guelph and completed his Bachelors of Environmental Science with Honours. Martin has also volunteered at various charities and organization across Ontario. In addition, in 2010 he was selected as a recipient of the National Aboriginal Role Model Program. He is passionate about knowledge and the connection to the land while incorporating two very distinctive cultures.

Rebecca Mearns

Rebecca is a researcher for Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre, at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.  She has worked as part of the Inuit Qaujisarvingat team since December of 2010.  Rebecca was raised in Aberdeen, Scotland and Panniqtuuq, Nunavut and embraces both her Scottish and Inuit culture.  Rebecca completed her Bachelor of Arts at Carleton University with a major in Sociology and double minor in Law and Aboriginal studies.  She is now working towards a Graduate degree in Geography also at Carleton University.  Rebecca hopes that through furthering her education and in working with Inuit Qaujisarvingat that she can aid in promoting research in a model based on Inuit knowledge and world-views.