Business and Politics

G. Education

schoolClasses have finally begun at the new Inuit cultural school in Clyde River, Nunavut, with 25 students enrolled for the fall term.

The $32 million Piqqusilirivvik facility is meant to teach Inuit traditional knowledge to Nunavut land claim beneficiaries. All the programming is delivered in Inuktitut by elders who act as instructors, advisers and counsellors.

Education is one of the top priorities for Aboriginal leaders across the country.  Since the early 1970’s, Aboriginal peoples in many areas have increasingly taken control of their young people’s education.  Federal and provincial governments have been actively involved in this shift of responsibility and control.  However, many communities still lack the control or funding they need to provide their children with the education they aspire to.

In 2001, 48% of Aboriginal people ages 2-24 had not completed high school, compared to 26%of the total Canadian population.  Aboriginals aged 25-44 who have post-secondary education is 39%, compared to 55% for the total Canadian population.