NorthBuilt in the heart of the community, the two-storey residence can accommodate up to 84 people. It features communal spaces for studying and holding cultural gatherings. It also features a cafeteria, a gym, a daycare and modular lodgings that can accommodate single occupants or entire families. School board director says residence represents Nunavik’s push to increase post-secondary optionsThe new residence cost $55 million and can hold up to 84 people. (Courtesy of Jade Bernier/Kativik Ilisarniliriniq)The new Kajusivik residence opened Tuesday in Kuujjuaq and will soon welcome adult students from across Nunavik. Built in the heart of the community, the two-storey residence can accommodate up to 84 people. It’s a major increase from the previous building, which could only house about 10.In addition to rooms, the Kajusivik building features communal spaces for studying and cultural gatherings. There’s also a cafeteria, gym, daycare and modular lodgings that can accommodate single occupants or entire families.The residence features communal spaces for studying and cultural activities. (Courtesy of Jade Bernier/Kativik Ilisarniliriniq)Overall, the project cost $55 million and received funding from the federal government and Quebec’s Ministry of Education. A hub for adult learningThe residence is meant to keep adult Inuit students pursuing their education in their home region, said Harriet Keleutak, the director general of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the region’s school board.The need to uproot from their communities has long been considered a barrier to the graduation rates of Inuit.The modular lodgings can accommodate single occupants or entire families. (Courtesy of Jade Bernier/Kativik Ilisarniliriniq)”It’ll open new roads for Inuit to take college programs or even finish their high school,” Keleutak said in French. “It’s a big step for Nunavik.” In 2023, a new adult education and vocational training centre for up to 50 students opened in the community. Officials say the facility is temporary, and there are plans to build a new centre, doubling its overall capacity, by 2030. Harriet Keleutak is the director general of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, Nunavik’s school board. (Félix Lebel/Radio-Canada)A handful of new programs will be offered at the centre starting in September, including accounting courses, a college-level program in early childhood education, and a university certificate in First Nations and Inuit education, which was developed in collaboration with McGill University. Other future programs include heavy equipment operations to meet the region’s demand for skilled labour. The residence is meant to keep more Inuit in their home region to prusue post-secondary studies, Harriet Keleutak said. (Courtesy of Jade Bernier/Kativik Ilisarniliriniq)Keleutak said the residence represents Nunavik’s push to increase post-secondary options for all residents. “It will allow us to offer more programs … and courses that we couldn’t do full-time before,” she said. ABOUT THE AUTHORFélix Lebel is a reporter with Radio-Canada in Kuujjuaq, in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec.
New Kuujjuaq residence ready to welcome students
