Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (Qc), Canada (March 19, 2017) – The Kativik School Board is delighted to extend its warmest congratulations to Maggie MacDonnell, winner of the 2017 Global Teacher Prize. Awarded by the Varkey foundation, the Prize stands not only as a recognition of her work at Ikusik School, Salluit, but also as an acknowledgement of the essential work performed by all teachers.

In Nunavik, as in many other regions of the world, the teaching profession is demanding and challenging. Today, the Inuit society continues to face the repercussions of a history of colonization, governmental neglect and underfunding; an experience shared with other Indigenous populations in Canada and internationally. “In this context, teachers play a key role in bringing about positive change for our youth, enabling them to stand strong and contribute their worldview to society, within and beyond our communities,” said Alicie Nalukturuk, President of the Kativik School Board. “This is what the Global Teacher Prize is really about, celebrating teachers’ invaluable contribution,” she added.

Maggie was awarded the Global Teacher Prize on March 19, in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). She was accompanied by three of her former students from Salluit: Larry Thomassie, Samantha Leclerc and Lucasie Amamatuak.

Born in Nova Scotia, Maggie MacDonnell was recruited by the school board in 2010. At Ikusik School, her work focused on implementing the school board’s Individualized Pathways of Learning (IPL), a project-based educational program. Her community development approach to education and her ability to build relationships with the Salluit community enabled her to develop a number of successful youth leadership projects. Most notably, she established: 1) a fitness center and a running club, where youth used physical exercise to build resilience. Members of the running club ran in Canadian and international competitions where they won podium prizes; 2) a leadership program for girls, which created unique platforms for students to contribute and engage with the community through work placements and initiatives such as community kitchen, elder meals, bike mechanic and more.

The Global Teacher Prize is a $1 million prize awarded annually by the Varkey Foundation to one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession. The Prize brings public attention to the importance of educators throughout the world.

The Kativik School Board wishes to acknowledge the support of Air Inuit.

About us:

The Kativik School Board (KSB) was created in 1975, under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Since 1978, it has been the exclusive provider of academic services to the Nunavik population. The education programs developed by the KSB are offered in all schools of the 14 Nunavik communities, in Inuktitut as first language and in French and English as second languages. The school board operates 17 primary and secondary schools as well as 5 adult education centres. More information at: www.kativik.qc.ca

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For more information, please contact:

Jade Duchesneau-Bernier – Communications Coordinator – publicrelations@kativik.qc.ca