2024
Children, Seniors and Social Development

Karen Clarke is the Director of Child and Youth Services Indigenous Reviews with the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.

Karen’s role in the cooperation between the Provincial Government and the Nunatsiavut Government has been recognized across Canada. In a number of national venues, the relationship has been highlighted as a best practice in how governments should collaborate, particularly given the context of reconciliation.

Karen and her counterpart Danielle Baikie with the Nunatsiavut Government have presented to deputy ministers across the Provincial Government on the work they were able to achieve together and to highlight positive relationships.

Both the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Nunatsiavut Government have been recognized by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the national Inuit organization, for the relationships between the governments. ITK has indicated they want other provinces and territories to learn from the collaborative relationship Karen and Danielle have been able to foster.

As government strives to forge relationships built on mutual trust and respect as a path towards reconciliation, Karen’s work, in partnership with her Nunatsiavut Government colleague, is an example of how the public service should engage with Indigenous Governments and Organizations.