Dorothy Atuat Tootoo, CD, ON, is a highly respected Elder known for her extensive experience and dedication to education in Nunavut and beyond. With twelve years of service as a commanding officer for the 3019 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) in Rankin Inlet and years as a student counsellor. 

She has been a tireless advocate for youth, helping them achieve their educational goals and persist in their pursuit of knowledge. As an Elder Advisor, she has initiated mentoring programs for various initiatives, including the @1860 Winnipeg Arts Incubator pilot, the University of Minnesota Duluth-supported Creativity for Entrepreneurship collective pilot, Our People Our Climate with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the ArcticNet-supported Inclusion in Northern Research Initiative.

She is a recipient of the prestigious Polar Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2022 she received the Order of Nunavut for her contributions to Inuit culture and community. Dorothy is also a founding member and Elder Advisor for Niriqatiginnga, a Winnipeg-based non-profit organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.