The Federation is the peak representative body for co-operatives in New South Wales.
A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations, through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
Mary Nirlungayuk is the Corporate Secretary of Arctic Co-operatives Limited, a service federation that focuses on refining operations to achieve higher profitability to Member Co-operatives across Canada's Arctic.
Mary grew up in Kugaaruk, Nunavut, which is located on the north eastern Arctic coast within Pelly Bay http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=wl (the former name of the community), and has a population of over 700 people. In 1981, she became the Office Manager of the local retail store Koomiut Co-op. At one point, when the Co-op was without a General Manager for two years, Mary and a fellow co-worker managed the Koomiut Co-op; during this time she gain a wealth of experience that has helped her further her career in the Co-op System.
In 1990 Mary travelled to Fort Smith to take a two year School Counsellor Program at Arctic College. When she returned to Kugaaruk she worked as a School Community Liaison Officer, served as a Director and Chairperson on the on the local Board of Education, and was a member of the community's Women's Support Group. In the early 90's Mary spent six months in Yellowknife as a Substance Abuse Counsellor.
In 1993 Mary returned as the Office Manager at Koomiut Co-op. For five years she worked closely with the Board of Directors and members, resulting in the Co-operative becoming one of the most successful community-owned businesses in the North.
Mary is a vital resource when initiatives are being considered or undertaken by the people, or on behalf of the people, living in the Arctic. Because of her heritage and her experience, she is able to provide a great insight of the Inuit culture, the needs of the communities, and the Co-op System in the north.
In December 2000, Mary left Kugaaruk, moved to Winnipeg and joined Arctic Co-operatives Limited.
As the Corporate Secretary, Mary oversees and administers the democratic structure of Arctic Co-ops and the various activities of the federation's Board of Directors. She also co-ordinates the ACL/ACDF Annual Meeting; an event attended by delegates representing 31 Member Co-ops. Other responsibilities include the management of services provided to the Co-op System by three departments: Offices Services, Travel and Communications.
Mary is a participating member on the following Board of Directors: Manitoba Co-op Association, Canadian Co-operative Association and the CCA Youth Caucus. She is also on the Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada Committee and a delegate of The Co-operators. Mary and her husband, Michael, have two daughters; Stephanie and Victoria.
*Pronunciation – Nir-loo-ngaa-yok.
