New course launches in Inuktitut in Nunavik

Students in Nunavik in sub-Arctic Quebec, will be able to stay at home rather than travelling south to continue their education in some courses. “Nunavik is the only Inuit region in Canada that doesn’t have a post-secondary institution,” says Phebe Bentley, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq School Board director of post-secondary student services. “So I think it’s important to show that students can achieve higher education or pursue higher education in their region without having to leave their family and friends for long periods of time.” Bently says eight courses are being developed with one launching Tuesday. That course will teach students to produce their own content through audio and video. It will be offered in Inukjuak, Nunavik and taught in Inuktitut. “For me to be able to teach a college course in my language is really important to me,” says teacher Jennifer Qupanuaqmay. She says Elders will also be involved in the course as well. “I think it’s really important that we not only teach the students what kind of tools they can use today, but also what tools were used in the past,” she says. This course will only provide students with one credit, highlighting a larger issue of lack of ability to obtain a degree without relocating outside of Nunavik. Bentley wants to change this. She says she has a much larger goal which is to offer post-secondary degrees in Nunavik. “That’s one of the things that we’ve been lobbying with the government to try to ensure that these students who want to stay in the region, we’re able to sponsor them the same that we would if they came down south,” says Bentley. Continue Reading