Arviat Grad Returns Home as School Counselor After BA

When Mae Himngaat Mercer Manik crossed the graduation stage at the University of Manitoba on June 3, she carried more than her bachelor of arts degree. She carried the memory of her father, grandmother, and grandfather who didn't live to see this day.

"My journey throughout university was not easy," Manik said. "These experiences made my journey difficult, but it also strengthened my determination to finish what I started."

The Arviat resident graduated with a major in Indigenous studies and a minor in psychology. Just one day after graduation, Premier John Main recognized her achievement in the Nunavut legislative assembly, calling her a positive example for all Nunavummiut pursuing higher education.

Manik's studies took her deep into Indigenous histories, knowledge systems, and the importance of Indigenous voices in Canada today. Her psychology coursework focused on child development, social psychology, and mental health, giving her the tools she needed for what came next.

By April, she was back home working as the community school counselor at Levi Angmak Elementary School. Her ability to speak both Inuktitut and English fluently means students and families can access mental health support in the language that feels most comfortable.

"I hope I can help bridge that gap," she said, referring to language barriers that often prevent Inuit community members from getting the help they need.

Why This Inspires

Manik's story shows how personal loss can fuel purpose rather than derail it. While grieving three beloved family members during her final year, she could have stopped. Instead, she pushed forward, transforming her education into something bigger than personal achievement.

"Graduation became not only a personal achievement, but also something I carry for my family and my community," she said.

The values her late grandparents passed down continue to guide her work. She's creating what she calls "a supportive space where people feel seen, heard and understood, not only as individuals, but as Inuit."

Her plans don't stop at a bachelor's degree. Manik wants to continue her education through a master's program and eventually earn a PhD. For now, though, she's focusing on her students and her family, including her younger brother who recently graduated high school and will begin post-secondary studies in Saskatchewan this fall.

Manik credits support from the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Nunavut Student Financial Assistance, and scholarship programs for making her education possible. That support is now multiplying as she helps the next generation of students navigate their own challenges.

Main summed up what many in Arviat feel: "I think it's great to see young, smart, committed Nunavummiut excelling and succeeding."

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