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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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.

Taqialuk Peter

Executive Assistant, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Taqialuk Peter was born and raised in Iqaluit. She was QCFC's Peer Advocacy Coordinator before joining the board. 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.

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.

Curtis Mesher

Articling Student

Curtis is an articling student with Maliganik Tukisiniarvik, working in the criminal law division. He is from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. Curtis enjoys being out on the land, film photography and painting. Aside from his involvement with Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre, he also coaches kids basketball in Iqaluit.

Leigh Ann Phillips

Manager, Isaccie Adult Group Home

With over 30 years of experience working in the food security and housing sectors in southern Canada, Leigh Ann now manages Iqaluit’s adult group home where she continues to educate herself on the barriers impacting the community's ability to access nutritious, affordable food – and particularly country food.

Current Staff

Joseph Murdoch-Flowers

Co-Executive Director

Joseph attended culinary school at L'Institut de Tourisme et d'Hôtellerie du Québec, and law school at McGill University in Montréal, and has worked as both a lawyer and a cook. He invites you to come to Qajuqturvik and eat a meal with him.

Rachel Blais

Co-Executive Director

Rachel worked in Nunavut's education and arts sectors for 4 years before joining QCFC in 2021. She believes that movements, connections, and friendships can start over a shared meal.

Nancy McPhee

Program Director

Nancy has held many roles and worn many hats over the years at QCFC. Along with some baked goods she also provides the team with much-needed humour. Nancy currently holds the position of Program Director.

Joanne Manning

Administrative Assistant


Amanda Anawak

Food Access Assistant


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.

Mary Pijamini

Community Programming Coordinator


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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: