Culturally relevant schooling in Nunavut: Views of secondary school educators

• Published in: Études/Inuit/Studies
• Main Author: Aylward, M.Lynn
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Association Inuksiutiit Katimajiit Inc. 2009
• Subjects: Nunavut; Études/Inuit/Studies; inuit
• Online Access: http://id.erudit.org/iderudit/044961ar; https://doi.org/10.7202/044961ar

The Nunavut Department of Education is committed to creating culturally relevant Nunavut secondary schools using, as a foundation, the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge and learning), bilingualism, and inclusive schooling. This paper focuses on the voices of Nunavut secondary school educators by building upon the results of the Sivuniksamut Ilinniarniq research project, which explored multiple graduation options for Nunavut youth and was conducted by the Nunavut Department of Education in 2004. Some of the data for this research project came from a survey of secondary school educators. The open-ended responses revealed three main themes: the role of Inuit language and culture in Nunavut education; an increased role for family and community; and concerns about student engagement. An overview of the initial survey results as well as further qualitative analysis and discussion of the three main themes is provided. For current educational planning, it is necessary to understand how the majority non-Inuit secondary school educators view the Nunavut school system and the possible assumptions embedded within these views. Le Département de l’éducation du Nunavut s’est engagé à créer des écoles secondaires culturellement adaptées au Nunavut en se basant sur les principes du Inuit Qaujimajituqangit (le savoir traditionnel et l’apprentissage inuit), le bilinguisme et l’enseignement inclusif. Cet article expose les opinions d’enseignants du secondaire du Nunavut, tout en se fondant sur les résultats de l’étude Sivuniksamut Ilinniarniq, menée par le Département de l’éducation du Nunavut en 2004, qui explorait les multiples options de cursus pour les jeunes du Nunavut. Certaines des données du projet de recherche Sivuniksamut Illiniarniq résultent d’une enquête menée auprès des enseignants du secondaire. Ce questionnaire d’enquête ouvert permit d’identifier trois thèmes principaux préoccupant les enseignants du secondaire: le rôle de la langue et de la culture inuit dans l’enseignement au ...