Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege of returning to Nunavut to work with the Law Society of Nunavut on a vital initiative: preventing family violence through frontline training and legal education.
🎥 Video Highlight: Nunavut from Above
One perk of working and traveling with a videographer is getting sweet video footage!
Check out these stunning drone scenes from Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, beautifully captured by @paulcottonfilms.
▶️ Click here to watch the video
Amid the full days of workshops and collaboration, we also had the chance to take in the breathtaking Arctic landscape—from the snowy serenity of Iqaluit to the brilliant skies in Rankin Inlet. (And yes, having a videographer along for the ride meant we got some truly stunning drone footage—thank you to Paul Cotton Films for capturing the beauty and spirit of these places.)
Empowering Frontline Workers in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet
Our journey began in Iqaluit, where Santana Stallberg and I co-led a two-day conference focused on equipping frontline staff with tools and knowledge to address family abuse. The confernces brought together service providers from across the territory and delivered training to frontline staff as part of the Family Abuse Support Training and Toolkit Project. The goal: to build practical, trauma-informed tools that support those responding to family abuse in communities across Nunavut. The sessions were dynamic and deeply engaging, highlighting the resilience and dedication of those serving their communities. We then traveled to Rankin Inlet to continue this important work, further strengthening the network of support across the territory.
Thank you to the Law Society of Nunavut, and the government of Nunavut, all the frontline workers who joined us, and everyone who made this initiative possible, . I’m proud to support family violence prevention in the North—and equally proud to bring this knowledge back to my practice in Victoria and throughout British Columbia.
Engaging with the Supreme Court of Canada’s Listening Tour
It was an honour to also be part of the Listening Tour on Access to Civil and Family Justice, featuring Justice Andromache Karakatsanis of the Supreme Court of Canada. The Listening Tour visited our conference in Iqaluit to hear directly from local stakeholders. Justice Andromache Karakatsanis joined us to hear directly from Nunavummiut about the unique challenges they face in accessing justice. Creating space for these important conversations was both humbling and inspiring, and is a powerful reminder of the importance of community-informed legal reform.
A Personal Connection to Nunavut
My relationship with Nunavut began in 2020 when I moved to Iqaluit and was called to the Bar in the territory. During my time as legal counsel for the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Justice, I developed a deep appreciation for the land and its people. Although now based in Victoria, BC, I continue to serve Nunavut by offering remote legal services tailored to the North’s unique needs.
Michelle Kinney Law: Remote Legal Services for Nunavummiut
I understand the challenges of accessing legal support in remote regions. That’s why I’ve created an online legal services model that includes:
- Remote Family Law Mediation
- Separation Agreements
- Cohabitation & Marriage Agreements
I approach my practice in Nuanvut with a refelction of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit values—to better ensure that services are respectful, accessible, and responsive.
đź’ˇ Express Mediation: A Fast, Affordable Path to Resolution
For couples seeking a swift and amicable separation, I offer Express Mediation—a streamlined, cost-effective service designed for low-conflict situations. This remote mediation process helps parties resolve their disputes cooperatively and equitably without going to court. As both a lawyer and accredited family law mediator, I provide legal information during mediation and can draft a binding Separation Agreement if an agreement is reached.
Looking Ahead
I’m so grateful for the connections made, the stories shared, and the opportunity to support frontline service providers in Nunavut. I remain committed to expanding access to justice and advancing family violence prevention in northern communities—and beyond.
Proudly serving Nunavut, Victoria, Vancouver Island, and all of British Columbia.
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