Professional Affiliation

President, National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC)

Expert Bio

The NIYC President serves as the national voice for Inuit youth in Canada, sitting on the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) Board of Directors as a permanent participant and the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee as an observer. Martin-Lapenskie was elected President of NIYC in 2019 for a two year term.

Martin-Lapenskie is from Sanirajak (formerly Hall Beach) but has resided in southern Canada for a number of years. She has spent her entire career pursuing in improving the lives of Inuit across Canada through development and implementation of Inuit-specific programs and services and policy advancement. Outside of NIYC, Crystal is a mom of two children, a wife and runs two full-time businesses. Her passion to supporting Inuit in Canada doesn't just stop at NIYC, her work is entirely focused on supporting Inuit, by Inuit for Inuit.