[1] Prior to her election to the legislature, Towtongie served two terms as president of Nunavut Tunngavik from 2001 to 2004 and from 2010 to 2016.
[2] In this role, she faced criticism when she publicly objected to Iqaluit City Council's decision to raise a rainbow flag during the 2014 Winter Olympics in protest against the Russian gay propaganda law.
[3] In 2020 she faced further criticism when she objected to the use of the word two-spirit in a motion on missing and murdered Indigenous women by fellow MLA Elisapee Sheutiapik, arguing that the concept was not a part of Inuit culture.
[4] The criticism included an open letter from actress Anna Lambe, calling on the legislature to censure Towtongie for her comments.
[5] In 2021, just a few days before the commencement of the 2021 Nunavut general election campaign, Towtongie criticized the clothing manufacturer Canada Goose for its decision to stop using natural fur in its products.