Makivik Magazine Issue 65

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KSB’s Inuit Teacher Training
Program: The Backbone of
Education in Nunavik
By Isabelle Dubois
MARY AITCHISON
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pattern during the culture class.
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SAMMY KUDLUK
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Ida Watt and Doris Winkler at a teacher-training
event back in 1976.
FILE PHOTO
As Makivik celebrated its 25th anniversary this past June, so did
another important organization in Nunavik — the Kativik School
Board (KSB). On June 21, 1978, just a week before Makivik came
into office, KSB took over the Commission Scolaire du Nouveau-
Québec’s (CSNQ’s) mandate. The KSB has come
a long way since then, making sure that the
Inuit of Nunavik receive proper education from
which their culture can blossom. In order to do
so, KSB knew how important it was to have
qualified Inuit teachers who can not only teach
in their natural language, but also help develop
programs and materials in Inuttitut for the children
to learn in a familiar environment.
Founded in 1975, before the School Board
was even established, the Teacher Training Program, now administered
by KSB, continues to fulfill this goal. They make sure that Inuit
children can be taught in their own language, at least for the first
couple years of instruction, and continue to improve their Inuttitut
language skills all the way from elementary to high school. It is
most important that those teachers receive proper training, as our
children’s future is very much in their hands.
With the growing number of children born each year in Nunavik,
schools now, more than ever, need qualified Inuit teachers. Over 100
people have successfully completed the Teacher Training Program to
obtain their Brevet d’enseignement du ministère de l’Éducation du
Québec (provincial teaching diploma) as well as McGill University’s
Certificate in Education for
First Nations and Inuit, but
Nunavik is always in need of
more teachers.
Holding a teaching position
can be very rewarding.
With the Teacher Training
Program, one can learn the
skills to become a teacher
without setting foot
outside of Nunavik. “It’s like
a university without walls.
MAKIVIK magazine
41