- Born
- December 10, 1957 — Eskimo Point, Northwest Territories (now Arviat, Nunavut)
- Family
- Mother to four sons.
- Career
- Financial comptroller; Director of the Jane Glassco Arctic Fellowship Program (2009-2012); President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada; Chief Returning Officer for multiple Inuit organization elections; worked for Elections Nunavut; served on the board of directors for numerous organizations including the Nunavut Development Corporation, the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Katimavik, Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Northwestel, Polar Knowledge Canada, and Nunavut Arctic College. Currently on the board for Nunavut Trust and a member of the Task Force on Women in the Economy.
- Political Experience
- Appointed to the Senate in December 2024. Previously served as Member of Parliament for Nunavut (1997-2008), becoming the first female MP for the Eastern Arctic. Served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources in 2003, and held various roles on standing committees. Also held councillor positions for the Municipal Hamlet and District Education Authority in Arviat, Nunavut.
- Notable
- Is Inuk. Named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2022.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before her appointment to the Senate, Nancy Karetak-Lindell had a career in education in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, working as a teacher and principal. She also has a long history in public service. Karetak-Lindell served as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Nunavut from 1997 to 2008, representing the Liberal Party of Canada. After leaving federal politics, she served as the president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada) from 2018 to 2022, an organization that advocates for the rights and interests of Inuit across the circumpolar region.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a long-serving Liberal Member of Parliament for over a decade, Nancy Karetak-Lindell worked within the governments of Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin. Her most prominent organizational tie is with the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), where she served as the Canadian president. This role connected her with Inuit leaders and organizations across Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and Russia.