Meet the team

Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre’s operations are managed by a team of people who share the vision and values of our community.

Our current open job offers:

Please click on a card below to learn more about our current positions

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2021-22 Board of Directors

Beth Kotierk

Lawyer

Beth is a Civil lawyer at the Legal Services Board of Nunavut. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Nutrition North Canada Subsidy Program. She is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association Nunavut Chapter Executive and the Chair of the Indigenous Peoples and the Law Section. Beth is interested in food sovereignty, indigenous rights, and international law.

Jessie Hale

Executive Director, Nunavut Association of Non-Profit Orgs

Jessie began volunteering with Qajuqturvik shortly after she moved to Iqaluit in November 2019. She also volunteers with Frontier College and Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line and is one of the cofounders of Nunavut Theatre Company. Jessie spends her free time reading, cooking for friends, and walking her dog.

Amelia Rajala

Occupational Therapist

Amelia has been involved with Qajuqturvik since 2015. She works as one of Inuvik’s occupational therapists and is passionate about health, mental health and human rights. She is originally from Vancouver and obtained her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy in Edmonton. She believes in the power of community and the power of good food.

Kimberly White

Social Worker

Kimberly White came to Nunavut temporarily in August 2017 and moved permanently in July 2018. She has been working in women’s shelters and other residential programming since 2008 and currently works at the Department of Family Services in Iqaluit.

Jane Tagak

Former Teacher

Jane has lived most of her life in Nunavut, currently residing in Iqaluit. She is a retired teacher and has volunteered with QCFC for many years

Eva Tache-Green

Lawyer

Eva loves food for its ability to bring people together and build communities. She believes that food security is a human right and looks forward to working with others at QCFC to continue improving dignified access to food for all Nunavummiut. Eva enjoys eating, cooking, and sharing recipes. She is an appellate lawyer at Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik in Iqaluit.

Current Staff

Rachel Blais

Executive Director

Rachel worked in the education and arts fields in Nunavut for 4 years before joining QCFC. She is passionate about food sovereignty and investigating how food intersects with identity. Rachel believes that connections, friendships, and movements can begin with a shared meal.

Joanne Manning

Administrative Assistant


Nancy McPhee

Food Access Coordinator

Nancy started out volunteering before becoming our full-time baker. Along with the baked goods she also provides much-needed humour in the kitchen. Nancy now holds the position of Food Access Coordinator.

Joshua Mark

Food Access Coordinator

Born and raised in Iqaluit, Josh enrolled in our pre-employment training program in 2019. Soon after graduating, Josh was hired as a Program Assistant where his culinary skills continued to grow. Josh now holds the position of Food Access Coordinator. 

Saimo Kopalie

Food Access Assistant

Saimo has lived in Iqaluit all his life. He began coming to Qajuqturvik as a community member and soon began working in the kitchen. Saimo was one of our first training program participants and began working with QCFC soon after graduating from the program.

Taqialuk Peter

Peer Advocacy Coordinator

Taqialuk was born and raised in Iqaluit. She is passionate about the things she grew up doing, like camping, hunting, clam digging, berry picking, and fishing. She believes in connecting to the land to reflect and refresh and that nourishment through country food is something that Inuit should have on a regular basis. Taqialuk loves to work with the people, for the people.

Kenny Merkosak

Country Food Access Coordinator

Kenny is a hunter and has lived in Iqaluit for most of his life. After working at the mines for many years and hunting part-time, Kenny joined QCFC as our Country Food Access Coordinator. Kenny is an avid fisher and enjoys spending time out on the land with his family.

Nuka Fennell

Food Skills Coordinator

Nuka grew up in Iqaluit and has worked in the culinary arts for over a decade. They hold a diploma in Culinary Management and they have a strong background in community building and advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Feeding and cooking for people is Nuka's love language, which has led to a long career in the culinary industry.

Elisapee Pishuktie

Program Assistant

Elisapee enrolled in QCFC's training program right before a COVID-19 lockdown. She was determined to finish the program and returned in the fall of 2021. She excelled in the program and soon began working at QCFC as a Program Assistant after graduating.

Bernard Naulalik

Program Assistant

Bernard has worked and been a program participant at QCFC for many years. Bernard now holds the position of Program Assistant.

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How you can help

The support we receive from our community has a direct impact on hundreds of Iqalummiut on a daily basis. You can help us in the following ways: