Myna Ishulutak
Inuit Cultural Educator
Myna is an Inuk radio host, film maker, educator, and champion of Inuit language and culture retention.
Myna is an Inuit filmmaker, language advocate, and educator originally from Pangnirtung and living in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Myna’s family remained on the land much longer than the vast majority of Inuit, who had already moved into communities. This gave her some very valuable life experiences that are uncommon for an Inuk of her generation.
As a fluent Inuktitut speaker, her filmmaking practice is intrinsically connected to her commitment to ensuring Inuit language and culture not only survives but flourishes in the contemporary world.
Myna’s notable films, Tajarniit, Qipisa, and Tupiq, all feature Inuktitut as a central element, showcasing the language in its full richness and complexity. Inuktitut is not just a means of communication—it is a vital part of the cultural landscape, contributing to the authenticity and emotional depth of her narratives.
Myna’s films have been supported by recognized organizations such as the National Film Board of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Nunavut Film Development Corporation. These partnerships affirm the cultural importance of her work and its contribution to Inuit language preservation.
Myna is also a teacher at the Inuktut language school Pirurvik, where she teaches Inuktitut and Inuit cultural practices to young people from across Inuit Nunangat. She strives to help learners strengthen their connection to the language and culture in meaningful and creative ways. Her dedication to language revitalization has made her a recognized leader in the movement for Indigenous language rights and cultural sovereignty.
In recognition of her exceptional work in language preservation and community leadership, Myna was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (King Charles III Medal), an honour acknowledging her contributions to Inuit culture, education, and the arts.
Through her filmmaking and teaching, Myna remains an essential voice in the movement to revitalize Inuktitut and to ensure that future generations can carry forward the language, stories, and knowledge of her ancestors.