Originally from the Atikamekw community of Obedjiwan, Karine Awashish set personal and professional goals for herself related to the cultural and identity-based affirmation of Indigenous communities. Holder of a master’s degree in recreation, culture and tourism from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) and a bachelor’s degree in business administration (from the UQAM), she is currently pursuing doctoral studies in sociology at the Université Laval. Her research interests include cooperation, social transformation and contributions of Indigenous knowledge. With her accumulated professional experience related to the socio-economic development of the First Nations in Quebec, she co-founded Coop Nitaskinan, a solidarity cooperative that allows for the realization of collective social and cultural projects. While contributing to the cultural standing of the Atikamekw, she is actively involved in youth development and the diffusion of Indigenous culture and arts.