Strength Carried in Kindness: In Loving Memory of Siasi Clunas

Siasi dedicated an extraordinary 42 years of her life to Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, serving with unwavering commitment as both a teacher and a regional special education consultant. Throughout her long career, her guiding purpose was always clear: to support the children of Nunavik, especially those who faced difficulties and needed someone to believe in their potential.

As colleagues, we had the privilege of working alongside Siasi across Nunavik: evaluating students, developing educational materials, supporting assessment and intervention, and training teachers. Many of us also travelled with her while testing students in Nunavik and providing training to special education teachers. She was an incredibly hard worker who approached every task with care, professionalism, and a deep sense of responsibility. She generously shared her knowledge, patiently and kindly.

“  During student testing, she demonstrated exceptional patience, ensuring that children who needed more time were given the same opportunities as those who progressed more quickly. She approached every child with respect and fairness, always attentive to individual pace and needs.  ”
Mary Cain, Culture Teacher and former Special Education Teacher and Regional Counsellor, Tasiujaq

With colleagues who were new to Nunavik, she took time to teach about the Inuit culture and Inuktitut language, bringing about a better understanding of the communities and how to serve them respectfully. When Inuktitut translations were not fully accurate, she took it upon herself to review and correct them, carefully working through both English and Inuktitut versions. Her strong language skills were a tremendous asset to the team and to the quality of our work.

Siasi also had a gift for collaboration. After student assessments, she produced exceptionally thorough and thoughtful reports. Her outstanding English skills often helped facilitate clear communication with specialists and experts from outside the region, strengthening collaboration and support for students.

“  Within the Inuktitut sector, her approach had a significant impact. She not only worked with teachers but also demonstrated the importance of meeting with parents, listening to their feedback, and strengthening the support provided to students. This kind of communication makes a real difference. To this day, very few specialists are able to do this work in Inuktitut, leaving a significant gap that Siasi helped fill.  ”
Rosie Etok, Special Education Technician, Kangiqsualujjuaq

Siasi was deeply loved and widely respected. She was known for being friendly, open, and genuinely welcoming to colleagues. Everywhere she went, she was received with warmth. Since her passing, many people have shared memories of her impact, including adults who still remember her fondly as their Kindergarten teacher. Her work touched multiple generations, leaving a lasting mark on students, families, and colleagues alike.

“  Those who travelled with Siasi remember her sense of humour. While she could appear serious at times, she was also full of laughter. With her, work was often punctuated by funny moments and unforgettable adventures that brought lightness even to busy days.  ”
Catherine “Kit” Dench, Speech-Language Pathologist, Montreal

One of the most powerful lessons Siasi taught us was resilience. Despite experiencing profound hardships in her life, including attending residential school in Winnipeg, she remained strong, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her work, her colleagues, and her communities. She carried herself with quiet strength and integrity, and she inspired all of us with her dedication and perseverance.

“  Siasi was very quiet, yet spiritually strong. Professionally, she was extraordinarily kind and soft-hearted—always caring for others, endlessly patient, never angry, and always helpful with colleagues. The support she extended to me went well beyond work. It reached deep into my heart, where her love remains with me still.  ”
Eva Inukpuk, Special Education Teacher, Inukjuak

Siasi will be truly missed. We are grateful for the decades she gave to education in Nunavik and for everything she taught us along the way. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the enduring impact of her work.