Nunavik Moves Forward with Plans for Post-Secondary Institution

Plans to establish a post-secondary institution in Nunavik are taking shape as the local school board, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, reported strong community support following public consultations. Conducted throughout 2023-2024 across all 14 Nunavik communities, the consultations culminated in a report released on October 21, 2023, that highlights the demand for increased access to higher education in the region.

According to Sarah Aloupa, president of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the need for a local post-secondary institution is critical for enhancing employment and economic opportunities for Nunavimmiut. She emphasized the importance of education by stating, “One of the reasons to start these programs is to have more graduates at the college/university levels because it’s required to occupy a position in different organizations.” Currently, only 3.5 percent of the Nunavik population holds a college degree, while merely 1.2 percent have attained a university education.

With a population nearing 14,000 people, according to Quebec government statistics, Nunavik faces significant educational gaps. A study commissioned by the Quebec Ministry of Education and Higher Education in 2023 recommended two potential models for post-secondary institutions tailored to the unique needs of Nunavik. The report indicates that a proposed Nunavik Institute is the most promising option, as it would allow for a diverse range of courses, including CEGEP and university programs.

“[The Nunavik Institute] offers the most flexibility and also has the possibility for CEGEP and university and adult ed courses to be under that umbrella,” noted Phebe Bentley, director of post-secondary education services at Kativik Ilisarniliriniq. The community expressed a strong desire for the institution to integrate Inuit knowledge and the Inuktitut language while also providing programs that lead to internationally recognized technical and professional certifications.

Aloupa further highlighted the significance of local educational opportunities, stating, “If we could have those programs here in our region, it would be easier for our people to continue.” Many Nunavimmiut students experience cultural shock when they relocate to southern Canada for education, often returning home prematurely. Establishing a local institution would alleviate this issue and encourage students to pursue their studies without leaving the region.

The push for a post-secondary institution aligns with longstanding requests from the Inuit of Nunavik, dating back to the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975. Numerous public consultations have highlighted this need from 1992 through 2014, yet there are currently no college or university campuses in Nunavik. Kativik Ilisarniliriniq does not possess the authority to offer post-secondary education under the existing agreement.

To pave the way for the Nunavik Institute, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq is collaborating with Makivvik Corp. to explore the possibility of expanding the school board’s mandate to encompass higher education. Bentley acknowledged the challenges that negotiations to amend the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement may pose but expressed determination to overcome these obstacles. “We’re up for the challenge,” she said, underscoring the commitment to this long-term project, which may take over a decade to realize.

In the interim, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq has partnered with John Abbott College in Montreal to deliver post-secondary courses in Nunavik. “There’s gonna be a lot of work that will lay the foundation for the eventual institution,” Bentley remarked, signaling a proactive approach to enhancing educational access in the region.

The steps taken by Nunavik’s school board represent a significant move toward empowering the local population through education, aiming to create a self-sustaining and culturally relevant post-secondary environment. As the initiative progresses, it promises to reshape the educational landscape for Nunavimmiut, offering new opportunities for growth and development within their communities.