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For Akutaq Williamson Bathory, Inuuqatigiitsiarniq (pronounced ee-nu-oo-kha-tee-geet-see-are-neek) — an Inuit value meaning “being human together” — is both a guiding principle and a promise. Whether she’s competing on the ice, studying on campus or coaching Indigenous youth in her spare time, Akutaq approaches each space with humility, reciprocity and a responsibility to uplift others alongside her.

Originally from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Akutaq is a third-year dual degree student in the Faculty of Arts and the Werklund School of Education. A  and fluent in both Greenlandic and Inkuktitut, Akutaq balances academic excellence with leadership in sport and community.

Recently featured in a covered by the Olympics, Akutaq sees education as a powerful way to invest in future generations. Whether in a classroom or on the ice, she views learning and coaching as extensions of the same responsibility. 

“It’s a gift in itself to be a part of the process of growth with somebody,” she says. From teaching kids in their first learn-to-skate programs to watching them win medals in their skating divisions, those moments continue to affirm her purpose and the values that guide her academic journey.

Growing up in Nunavut

Akutaq has always carried a deep sense of responsibility rooted in where she comes from. A natural leader and teacher, she has long committed to creating safe, culturally grounded spaces for Indigenous youth to thrive. 

While still in high school, she developed a youth support initiative called Inuuqatigiitsiarniq, recognizing the need for culturally relevant programming for at-risk Inuit youth in her community. Today, she brings those same values and perspectives to her work on campus and beyond.

“A big motivation is coming to school to be able to gain all this knowledge,” she says, “but then to bring it back home and reflect in a way that is meaningful.”

Moving to Calgary to pursue her education came with many experiences of culture shock — moments where Inuit experiences are misunderstood or overlooked altogether. “I’ve encountered so many people that don’t know where Nunavut is — and they’re Canadian,” she says. “And in the classroom setting, [Inuit] are still kind of disregarded — it’ll be like one paragraph in a textbook.”

Rather than discouraging her, these moments have given Akutaq greater clarity in her path forward. Through her studies in sociology and education, Akutaq continues to advocate for Inuit visibility and meaningful inclusion, using both her voice and lived experience to challenge gaps in understanding.

Giving back through sport

At the Olympic Oval, Akutaq puts those values into practice, where sport becomes a tool for confidence, connection and personal growth. This year, she partnered with four-time Olympian  to invite elementary students from the Piitoayis Family School to learn how to skate at the Olympic Oval.

Together, they cultivate a welcoming and supportive environment for First Nations, MĂ©tis and Inuit students — many of whom are stepping onto the ice for the very first time. The program also includes support from Ă“táp Ă­misskaan Wayfinders from Writing Symbols Lodge, who serve as mentors and facilitators, reinforcing leadership and community-building throughout the experience.

Guided by Inuuqatigiitsiarniq

As a coach, Akutaq leads with vulnerability and openness, intentionally breaking down power dynamics so that her students feel supported rather than intimidated. “It’s a give and take in both ways,” she says. Coaching allows her to mentor others while continuing her own growth at the same time — a true reflection of the reciprocity she was raised with.

Whether in the classroom or on the ice, Akutaq prioritizes meeting people where they are and leading with humility. Despite her many accomplishments, one lesson continues to guide her forward, passed down from her late grandfather: "The biggest gift that you can have as a high-achieving person is to work hard but be humble in the process."