Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Qc. (March 25, 2013) – Lukasi Tukkiapik, Jeremy Davies, Anne Sequaluk and Zainab Souit were thrilled to hear their names when the grand winners of the 2013 Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair were announced on March 20^th, during an award ceremony at the Kuujjuaq Convention Centre.

Together, these four youth will represent the “Aboriginal Quebec Autochtone” region at the 2013 Canada-wide Science Fair in Lethbridge, Alberta, from May 11-18, 2013.

Speakers at the award ceremony praised the work accomplished by all participants. “I have been very impressed by your ability to bridge traditional knowledge to modern science” said speaker Isabelle Parizeau, Head of the Kativik Regional Government.

For the first time this year, the majority of Nunavik schools participated in the Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair. “It has been a great honor for the Kativik School Board and for the Kuujjuaq community to be hosting this positive and inspiring event”, stated Annie Popert, Director General of the Kativik School Board, during the ceremony.

“We are very proud that Inuit students from Kuujjuaq will be among those representing the Quebec’s aboriginal communities at the Canada-wide Science Fair this year”, she added.

Lukasi Tukkiapik and Jeremy Davies, Inuit from Kuujjuaq, presented a project that looked at the level of mercury in brook trout. Their project was awarded 1^st place in the secondary 4 and 5 category. They also received a special health project award.

Anne Sequaluk, Inuit from Kuujjuaq, was awarded 2^nd place award in the secondary 2 and 3 category. Her project compared the amount of bacteria present in dogs and humans mouths.

Zainab Souit, Cree from Chisasibi, was awarded 1^st place in the secondary 1 category. Her project looked at the impact of tobacco on respiratory functions.

In addition, the Innalik school, was awarded the Scientific Development Special Award, for Sarah Khan’s project. Khan’s project looked at what can be found on the surface of selected objects.

The 2013 Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair took place on March 19 and 20, at the Jaanimmarik school of Kuujjuaq, in Nunavik. It brought together over a hundred participants who presented sixty scientific projects.

Participants traveled to Kuujjuaq from thirty different First Nations and Inuit communities. The Algonquin, Atikamekw, Cree, Huron-Wendat, Inuit, Innu, and Naskapi nations were represented.

Besides the four grand winners of the competition, the following students were awarded prizes:

• Scientific Development Special Award: Sarah Khan from Inukjuak;
• Health Science Special Award: Lukasi Tukkiapik and Jeremy Davies from Kuujuaq;
• Environmental Project Special Award: Peter Plourde and Samuel Turcotte from Mashteuiatsh;
• Cultural Heritage Special Award: Alisson Hervieux Picard and Coralie Duchesneau Picard from Wendake;
• Communication Special Award: Amy-Eve Lapointe and Tommy Couture-Sioui from Wendake;
• Secondary 4 & 5 – 1^st Place: Lukasi Tukkiapik and Jeremy Davies, from Kuujjuak;
• Secondary 4 & 5 – 2^nd Place: Yasmina Nail and Mylčene Papatie, from Lac-Simon;
• Secondary 4 & 5 – 3^rd Place: Kanenhriio Stacey from Kahnawake;
• Secondary 2 & 3 – 1^st Place: Gabrielle Paul and Simon Bussière-Launière from Mashteuiatsh;
• Secondary 2 & 3 – 2^nd Place: Anne Sequaluk from Kuujjuaq;
• Secondary 2 & 3 – 3^rd Place: Jack Dumont and Miskokijig McGregor from Kitigan Zibi;
• Secondary 1 – 1^st Place: Zainab Souit from Chisasibi;
• Secondary 1 – 2^nd Place: Tobias Commonda-Odjick from Kitigan Zibi;
• Secondary 1 – 3^rd Place: Johnny Yuliusie and Judith Naluiyuk from Salluit;
• 6^th Grade – 1^st Place: Amy-Eve Lapointe and Tommy Couture-Sioui from Wendake;
• 6^th Grade – 2^nd Place: Peter Plourde and Samuel Turcotte from Mashteuiatsh;
• 6^th Grade – 3^rd Place: Lekenhnhenhawi Montour from Kahnawake;
• 5^th Grade – 1^st Place: Tekaronhiawakon Cross-Pranteau from Kahnawake;
• 5^th Grade – 2^nd Place: Alisson Hervieux Picard and Coralie Duchesneau Picard from Wendake;
• 5^th Grade – 3^rd Place: Jordan Flamand and Gaillya Ottawa from Manawan.

About us:

The Quebec Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association (QASEA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote sciences and engineering to Aboriginal youth attending school in First Nations and Inuit Communities in Quebec. QASEA achieves its mission through the Aboriginal Science Fair Program. More information at: www.asfquebec.ca

Also watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87O2BGW5uts

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 contact:

Jade Duchesneau-Bernier
Public Relations Officer
Kativik School Board
(514) 482-8220

Marc Lalande
President-treasurer
Quebec Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association (QASEA)
(819) 684-1889