Makigiaqta Invests $12.4 Million in Inuktut Teacher Training

Press Release

(September 14, 2021 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) The Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation (MITC) approved a $12.4 Million partnership with the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Arctic College to increase Inuktut within Nunavut schools through strengthening Inuktut teacher training.

“NTI is a strong supporter of Inuktut education, revitalization, and culture. Educating our children in our first language is a necessary step to increasing the achievement rates of Nunavut Inuit in schools,” said Aluki Kotierk, MITC Chair.

“The Government of Nunavut is committed to working towards a bilingual education system in Nunavut. This is a milestone that is a direct result of the various levels of representation taking action on their commitment to strengthen learning in Inuktut. This is a success for all of Nunavut,” said Hon. David Joanasie, Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College and Makigiaqta Board Member.

The Pathfinder Proposal will contribute to supporting the following commitments:

• Expanding NTEP into more Nunavut communities and targeting an estimated increase of 170 students with the additional investment;
• Curriculum development for the NTEP Bachelor of Education including the Uqariuqsatittijiit Language Specialist Diploma to ensure the program is preparing Inuit educators to deliver Inuktut Language of Instruction;
• Enhanced recruitment and retention of Inuit students through engagement and provision of wrap-around supports.

The Pathfinder Proposal aligns with NTI’s Board Priorities outlined in Niriuttaarijat, specifically towards making significant progress in strengthening Inuktut in Nunavut’s education system.

Nunavut Inuit are in the process of rebuilding pride in their identities. Supporting Inuktut education is an essential building block to achieve an Inuktut first society.

More information can be found on MITC’s website: www.makigiaqta.com

For further information:

Karen Flaherty

A/Director of Communications

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated

Tel: (867) 975-4900/Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006

kflaherty@tunngavik.com

Backgrounder

In September of 2019, an announcement was made that outlined a commitment for the Government of Canada, Government of Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) to collaborate on an agreement that will support, revitalize, and strengthen Inuktut in Nunavut.

Specifically, the partnership committed to a pathfinder agreement that seeks to support:

• Increasing access to Inuktut-language instruction in Nunavut;
• Increasing and maintaining the number of proficient Inuktut-speaking Inuit educators;
• Increasing the number of fluent Inuktut speakers in Nunavut; and
• Establishing the Nunavut Partnership Table on Language and Education

With that announcement, $42 million over five years was committed by the Government of Canada to support this work.

Since then, the Nunavut Partnership Table was formally established with conclusion of a Terms of Reference, Memorandum of Understanding, and subsequent funding mechanisms and agreements to support proposed activities under the partnership and pathfinder agreement.

Specifically, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Arctic College have developed a $59 million budget over 5 years to support the following commitments:

• Expanding NTEP into more Nunavut Communities and targeted an estimated increase in 170 students with the additional investment;
• Curriculum development for the NTEP program to ensure the program is preparing Inuit educators to deliver Inuktut Language of Instruction;
• Enhanced recruitment and retention of Inuit students through engagement and provision of wrap-around supports.

Of that $59 million budget, investment sources have been allocated as follows:

• $34.7 million from the Federal Department of Canadian Heritage to support implementation of the Indigenous Language Legislation;
• $12 million from the Nunavut Implementation Panel and the 2015 Article 23 Settlement Funds for Government Inuit Employment initiatives;
• $12.4 million from Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will receive $7.3 million over 5 years to undertake work on Innovative Measures for Inuktut Education and Inuit Educators

ILR5