Canada's Leading Women Shaping the Nation's North

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 3, 2011) - Canada's northern women of influence are in Ottawa today for a photo shoot and press event to discuss their vision for the future of Canada's eastern Arctic and North.

The Northern Lights 2012 Business and Cultural Showcase and Ottawa Life Magazine are holding a photo shoot and press event today for the January cover of Ottawa Life Magazine entitled, Women Shaping the North, in celebration of some of Canada's most influential women of the North.

The women in attendance at the press event include:

• Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
• Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, CEO and Chairperson, Inuvialuit Regional Corp.
• Ms. Isabella Pain, Senior Negotiator, Nunatsiavut Government
• Ms. Mary Simon, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Ms. Maggie Emudluk, Chairperson, Kativik Regional Government
• Ms. Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, World Leader on Climate Change and Human Rights
• Ms. Kenojuak Ashevak, Renowned Inuit Artist
• Ms. Elisapie Isaac, Canadian Singer/ Songwriter
• *Hon. Eva Aariak, Premier of Nunavut and Hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador included on cover but unable to attend press event.

"The impact that these women have on Canada's North is crucial to its continued development and success," says Hal Timar, Co-Event Manager of Northern Lights. "This event reflects the ever increasingly important role of women to northern prosperity, and the cover of this magazine could have easily involved many more women of influence."

The distinct views, perspectives and experiences of the influential women of the northern regions of Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador and Nunatsiavut are helping to shape the future of Canada's North by raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities that exist in these unique northern regions.

"It's an honour to be a part of an incredible group of women, who have a shared vision for a safe, healthy and prosperous North," says the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. "Events such as Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase, give us the opportunity to share our unique heritage and look to the future."

The Northern Lights event includes a multi-sector trade show, Arts and Culture Pavilion, and many informative conference sessions surrounding northern energy solutions, climate change, sovereignty, transportation, infrastructure development, mining, oil and gas exploration, tourism, arctic ocean technology, and much more.

About Northern Lights:

Organized jointly by the Baffin Regional and Labrador North Chambers of Commerce, Northern Lights 2012 is a business and cultural showcase of Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador and Nunatsiavut being held at the Ottawa Convention Centre from February 1-4, 2012. Please visit www.northernlightsottawa.com for up-to-date event information, photos, videos and more, or visit our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at @NL2012Ottawa.

About Ottawa Life Magazine:

Ottawa Life Magazine (OLM) is the national capital region's largest and longest running (est. 1997) general interest and lifestyles magazine. OLM is available at over 500 newsstands in the National Capital Region and at major newsstands across Canada. OLM has a large subscriber (includes 4,500+ executive-level federal and provincial public servants), all Members of the House of Commons and Senate, all provincial and territorial Assembly members, all members of the National Press Gallery, 120 Embassies, 2000 Board of Trade member-companies, 2000 local businesses and 3,300 national organizations and lobbyists based in Ottawa and across Canada. The magazine's web site, www.ottawalife.com receives over 100,000 site visits per month.