Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, QC (November 23, 2015) – In the context of the Inuktitut language promotion campaign it launched on September 15, 2015, the Kativik School Board is proud to announce that its awaited Inuktitut keyboard, iNaqittaq, is now available for free from the Apple App Store.

“The Inuktitut language is in constant competition with English, which is the most commonly used language on the Internet and on electronic devices such as iPads, iPods and iPhones,” says Rita Novalinga, Assistant Director General of the school board and spokesperson for the Inuktitut promotion campaign. “Our students and their parents use new technologies. Educational apps on iPads are also increasingly used in our schools. iNaqittaq will facilitate learning in Inuktitut at school. At home and in other social areas, iNaqittaq will also play an important role in ensuring that younger generations speak and write in Inuktitut when using new technologies to interact,” adds Rita Novalinga.

iNaqittaq enables Inuit users to type in Inuktitut syllabics on iPads, iPhones, and iPods. The app is fully compatible with iOS 8 (released in November 2014). A drawing recognition application for syllabics is also being developed and should be available later during the school year.

The project is led by Etua Snowball, Director of Education Services and his First Language Curriculum Development team. It is entirely funded by the Kativik School Board. iNaqittaq can be downloaded here.

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. Education programs developed by the KSB are offered in schools of the 14 Nunavik communities, in Inuktitut as first language and in French and English as second languages. More information at: www.kativik.qc.ca

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For information, please contact:

Jade Duchesneau Bernier

Public Relations Officer

(514) 482-8220

publicrelations@kativik.qc.ca