Leesee Papatsie – Inuit, Nunavut

Leesee Papatsie works with Inuit communities and Elders to promote protection and awareness of territorial parks. Nunavut Parks is a member of the Canadian Parks Council, which works to promote excellence in parks planning and create meaningful Green Jobs opportunities for young people across the country.

Nunavut Parks is a PLT Canada Green Jobs employer.

Leesee’s story is included in A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada: Voices of Indigenous Professionals.

Download the guide

LEESEE’S LOVE OF NATURE COMES FROM…

“I grew up on the land following our traditions. We would snowmobile over the ice to our hunting camp and then take a boat back weeks later after the ice broke up. One spring, the ice took longer to break up. Usually we could come back in July but that year we couldn’t get back until August. We lived off the land, eating ducks and duck eggs. I still love being outdoors. Today, I’m one of the few women hunters. I still hunt with my brothers.”

LEESEE CHOSE A GREEN CAREER BECAUSE…

“When I was growing up, our family was one of the last families to go out on the land consistently. I always knew I wanted an outdoor job. I’m also bringing our language into the workplace and parks. The oral histories of Inuit are helping pass on our traditions and encourage more people to get out on the land.”

TO LEESEE, BEING INDIGENOUS IN A GREEN JOB  MEANS…

“Being an Inuk helps me to understand what it’s like for our youth when they start on their career path. Many Inuit face challenges with job interviews because English is their second language. Even if our youth know the right answer, they may have trouble expressing themselves. I’m helping to change the way Nunavut Parks does interviews so that more Inuit youth are able to succeed.”