She was born in Eskimo Point, Northwest Territories (now Arviat, Nunavut)[2] and is Inuk.
Prior to politics, she was a financial comptroller and held councillor positions for the Municipal Hamlet and District Education Authority in Arviat, Nunavut.
She is currently on the board for Nunavut Trust, Polar Knowledge Canada and a member of the Task Force on Women in the Economy.
[3] Karetak-Lindell ran for a seat in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal candidate during the 1997 federal election in the riding of Nunavut, becoming the first female MP for the Eastern Arctic.
[8] On December 19, 2024, she was summoned to the Senate of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon, on the advice of prime minister Justin Trudeau.