Nunavik Sivunitsavut: Alumni perspectives - James Vandenberg & Nunavik Sivunitsavut alumni

Nunavik Sivunitsavut is a one-year culturally relevant CEGEP experience for Inuit from Nunavik, accredited by John Abbott College. It started in 2017, and will be in its third year of operations at the time of the conference. There will have been 30+ students who will have gone through the program. The theme of the program is satuigiarniq or reclaiming that which has been lost, and offers course in Inuit Literature, Current Events, History, Inuktitut, Inuit Games, traditional skills, and Arts. Its goals are to foster post-secondary perseverance, provide relevant workplace skills, provide a positive urban environment, and to inspire students to seek and find a sense of ethnic identity and pride. In addition to the courses, the students have workshops and learn to perform traditional songs and games at schools and community organizations to raise awareness about Inuit culture and issues affecting Nunavik. The talk will consist of a panel of 3 or 4 alumni who will speak about their experiences.