Montreal, Qc (October 24, 2018) – Kativik Ilisarniliriniq welcomes the report “For quality educational services in Nunavik that respect Inuit culture”, which was released today by the Quebec Ombudsman.

“The report provides an excellent overview of the key challenges we are currently facing within the Nunavik education system,” said Robert Watt, President of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq. The report contains 14 recommendations and identifies areas where the school board has been actively seeking support from the Quebec Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEES). These include among others: pedagogical issues, recruitment, school infrastructures and housing for school board employees, training for Inuit teachers, and budget rules that would reflect the Nunavik reality.

Over the recent months, there have been positive developments in communications and working relationships with the MEES, including at the deputy minister level. “With the election of a new provincial government, this report provides a strong basis for Education Minister Jean-François Roberge to engage positively with the school board and the Inuit of Nunavik,” noted Robert Watt. “I am hopeful that the momentum gained in our recent dealings with the MEES will be maintained through this leadership transition,” he added.

In August 2018, Deputy Minister Sylvie Barcelo visited schools in a number of Nunavik communities and participated in a meeting of the pedagogical roundtable in Kuujjuaq. In June and August 2018, funding was also approved for a number of construction projects for which approval had been pending since 2014 and 2015.

The school board looks forward to collaborating with the Quebec Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and as applicable, the Société d’habitation du Québec to implement the recommendations of the Quebec Ombudsman report.

About us:

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq was created in 1975, under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). Since 1978, it has been the exclusive provider of educational services to all Nunavik residents. Under the JBNQA, the school board also acts as an institution with unique powers and jurisdiction geared towards the protection and development of the Inuit language, culture, and way of life, through the delivery of tailored educational services and programs. The education programs developed by the school board 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 and a pre-college facility. More information can be found at: www.kativik.qc.ca

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For information, please contact:

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