March 31, 2011
Inuk Carleton Student Rides the Coattails of Nunavut
Leslie Cousins worked at the Iqaluit Public Library as a high school student and learned quickly the environment nurtured her affinity for learning. This is where she initially developed her research skills and felt happiest as a self described “brain sponge that soaks up every tidbit of information.”
“I’m from white row,” says Cousins in an interview at Carleton. White row is a group of modest units in Iqaluit’s downtown, the capital of Nunavut. Part of Cousin’s identity is rooted in the fact that Iqaluit is where she grew up and she still considers it home.
From 2001 to 2006, Cousins worked for the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the organization that was created to negotiate for the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and is still operating today for the interest of Inuit in Nunavut with relation to this agreement.
Cousins was part of the Nunavut implementation support group panel during her tenure at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Cousins recalls that “it was a steep learning curve” but was well worth it because today she uses the knowledge from that experience to frame her research and learning at Carleton University.
Cousins is a part-time second year student majoring in political science—with a concentration in Canadian politics—and a minor in Aboriginal studies. She also works part time for the Government of Canada and for the Aboriginal Enriched Support Program at Carleton, the program that opened its doors to her a few years back.
I want to do something for the Inuit of Canada and it guides my research at Carleton
“It bothers me when I can’t find information” Cousins says. From 2007 to 2008, Cousins was a mentor for first year students enrolled in the Aboriginal Enriched Support Program. Cousins tried to make herself available to students and said “I would help the students with research. I wouldn’t do the research for them but I would help them find things since that is something I like to do.”
Cousins spoke of her research experiences at Carleton: “I wrote a paper about what happened between England and India in relation to colonialism and I drew on the parallels between the history of Canada’s relationship with Inuit. I don’t mention Inuit, but I draw on the knowledge I have of Inuit and Nunavut to frame my work and research.”
“I’m able to ride the coattails of Nunavut for my research, not because it’s easy, but because it helps me form something bigger and stronger in my work” says Cousins.
Cousins would like to use her degree to work in Aboriginal policy. “I just want to do right for the Aboriginal population and if that means getting paid $20,000 per year then that’s something I’m willing to sacrifice and something I’m willing to do” says Cousins.
“I want to do something for the Inuit of Canada, not just in Nunavut,” Cousins said, “and it guides my research at Carleton.”
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