Kalvak was born at Tahiryuaq, also known as Tahiryuak Lake,[2] on Victoria Island and raised in the Prince Albert Sound area.

Although Kalvak later converted to Christianity, she continued to reflect her traditional Inuit religion in her artwork, along with the stories which she had learned as a child.

In 1960, Kalvak moved to Holman (present-day Ulukhaktok) after the sudden death of her husband, Edward Manayok.

Ten years later, in recognition of her work, Kalvak was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

[5] At the time of her death in 1984, Kalvak was one of the few remaining Inuit women in Ulukhaktok decorated with traditional beautifying facial kakiniq (tattoos).

She would make drawings when we were at our outpost camp at Walker Bay [on the coast north of Minto Inlet].

I remember coming into Holman in the summer by boat to sell some of my mother’s finished drawings and I would get more art supplies to take back for her.