Agnes Kuptana
The late Agnes Kuptana was an Inuvialuk residential school Survivor, educator, artist, and community wellness advocate from Uluksaqtuuq (Ulukhaktok), Northwest Territories.
Agnes was born in an iglu on December 15, 1949. She spent her childhood on the Land with her family, following animals throughout the seasons.
Agnes was a talented seamstress and learned to sew by watching her grandmother and mother at a young age. Agnes made many things, including kamiit, quilts, and parkas.
When she was six years old, Agnes was taken away to Coppermine Tent Hostel, and later to Cambridge Bay Hostel and Stringer Hall in Inuuvik (Inuvik). It was very important to Agnes that people, but especially young people, know what happened to Indigenous Peoples in Indian residential and day schools.
Agnes passed away in July 2025. She is remembered as a generous teacher, who was passionate about passing on her knowledge of language and Land-based skills to the next generation.
Agnes was born in an iglu on December 15, 1949. She spent her childhood on the Land with her family, following animals throughout the seasons.
Agnes was a talented seamstress and learned to sew by watching her grandmother and mother at a young age. Agnes made many things, including kamiit, quilts, and parkas.
When she was six years old, Agnes was taken away to Coppermine Tent Hostel, and later to Cambridge Bay Hostel and Stringer Hall in Inuuvik (Inuvik). It was very important to Agnes that people, but especially young people, know what happened to Indigenous Peoples in Indian residential and day schools.
Agnes passed away in July 2025. She is remembered as a generous teacher, who was passionate about passing on her knowledge of language and Land-based skills to the next generation.