My presentation is a joint response from NTI, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the Kivalliq Inuit Association and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (the Inuit Organizations) and is informed by the active input of Nunavummiut.

I am speaking to you today on behalf of Nunavut Inuit.

We are calling for government to withdraw Bill 25.

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Background

There is an education crisis in Nunavut.  The Government of Nunavut (GN) has not been adequately delivering education services for Nunavut students, evident in low attendance and high push-out rates.

The system is failing 70% of our students who are not obtaining a Grade 12 diploma under the current system.

The GN, NTI and others heard, again, that Nunavut Inuit want to see Inuktut as the main language of instruction in our schools (K-12), including more focus on teaching Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, as well as adequate supports and reasonable expectations for district education authorities, with inclusive education getting the attention it deserves.

The Government of Nunavut’s current and proposed approach to education does not align with the values of Nunavut Inuit, with Nunavummiut.

Rather, the government seeks to perpetuate power imbalances in educational policies, programs and curriculum as well as in languages of instruction, which in turn fuels a lack of accountability, transparency and fairness.

This will not benefit our students, our society or our systems.

Nunavut was created by and for Inuit. Language was a motivating factor for Inuit to work towards achieving a land claim agreement.

Inuit envisioned better services and programs, including better education for Inuit children – that is, delivered in our language, and reflecting Inuit ways of knowing, being and understanding.

A system which reflects the values and priorities of its citizens.

Inuit have rights to self-determination and self-government in matters relating to education.

Inuit have existing language rights, enshrined in the Official Languages Act of Nunavut and the Inuit Language Protection Act.

These rights should be recognized, protected, respected and built upon.

All children, including Inuit children, deserve access to quality education by effectively meeting their diverse needs in ways that are supportive, responsive and respectful;

  • That Inuktut be the main language of instruction in order for students to achieve additive bilingualism in schools where a strong bilingual education program is offered across core curriculum subjects from Kindergarten to Grade 12;
  • That Inuit parents be able to exercise their right to a high quality Inuktut language education for their children, measuring up to standards in southern Canada and rooted in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit;
  • That Inuit parents and citizens be involved in meaningful local decision-making by fully-trained and adequately supported DEAs that have the authority equivalent to school boards in other parts of Canada.

We have a young population and need our students to be academically successful, grounded in our culture and ready to work in Inuktut.  We owe it to our students to enable them to achieve a high school diploma to advance to post-secondary education, training and employment opportunities in Nunavut.

 

Let us not abandon our children’s right to quality Inuit education.

I believe that together we can constructively address the challenges with the common goal of improving the education system for the benefit of our youth.

Remember that all the past significant achievements in education in Nunavut, including: increasing the numbers of Inuit educators, making high schools available in all communities, producing of curriculum and resources in the Inuit Language and increasing attendance rates – were all a result of Inuit participating directly in decision-making as members of divisional boards of education and DEAs.

NTI, along with the three Regional Inuit Associations, will continue to advocate for culturally-appropriate Inuktut-language education and work towards fundamental reforms for the benefit of our children, our youth and our society.

On behalf of NTI, the three Regional Inuit Associations and Inuit across Nunavut, I urge the Standing Committee to recommend the withdrawal of Bill 25.

On behalf of Nunavut Inuit, I recommend the tabling, refinement and adoption of the Nunavut Education Reform Act (NERA).

We offer hope and willingness to be bold, ambitious and fearless in addressing the fundamental flaws in our education system, which prevent many of our Inuit youth from excelling and benefitting from the economic wealth of Nunavut.

As always, Inuit remain open and willing to work in partnership with the Government of Nunavut and the Legislative Assembly to ensure that our education system is adequately serving Nunavut students with the provision of a quality, bilingual education system.