Kavavaow was born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1958 where his mother, Paunichea, was hospitalized for treatment of tuberculosis. He returned to Cape Dorset as a very young child and has lived there since.

Kavavaow has demonstrated a range of stylistic abilities over the years - from the very literal to the more expressive. His thematic concerns include depictions of Inuit legends and mythology, Arctic wildlife and an interest in some of the more contemporary aspects of Inuit life. He is represented in the 2006 collection by one image – “Making a Nest” – that nicely combines his naturalist’s eye with his graphic sensibilities.

For several years Kavavaow has been involved in the co‑operative's graphic arts program as a printmaker - first in the lithography studio and more recently in the stonecut studio. He is an accomplished and precise printmaker who enjoys the opportunity to demonstrate printmaking techniques to young artists and visitors to the studio.

Kavavaow lives with his wife and son Peter in Cape Dorset.