Nunavut program creates Inuit leaders for Inuit schools

As well, the legislature passed a new Education Act in the last session that promises to deliver an Inuktitut language curriculum for students in all grades. Some of the new program’s graduates will help write that curriculum.

Nunia Qanatsiaq has already started working on an Inuktitut language program for high school students.

“(The program) really helped a lot,” she said. “It gave us confidence that we can step in and do things for our people instead of relying on others.”

Walton said the influence of the new graduates is likely to spread beyond education. She points to the Akitsiraq law school, which graduated 11 Inuit lawyers in 2005 through the University of Victoria.

Several of those graduates hold prominent positions in the civil service. A second Akitsiraq class is being planned for this fall.

Such programs help the territory at large, said Walton, who used to teach in Nunavut herself before joining UPEI’s faculty.

“When you raise the educational levels, you’re going to be feeding into the whole community.”

All the students were able to remain in their home communities, where they held down full-time jobs in the education system. Classes were taught online, as well as by lecturers coming north from Prince Edward Island.

Kakudluk is already looking forward to her new job — vice-principal of Iqaluit’s Nakasuk school.

“It’s very, very important to keep learning, to keep going to school,” she said.

“I’m just trying to be a good role model to my own children.”

- The Canadian Press