Pirurvik offers an Inuktitut refresher course for Inuit

Pirurvik’s executive director Leena Evic lights a qulliq at a 2012 event in Iqaluit. (FILE PHOTO)

Do you need to brush up on your Inuktitut?

The Pirurvik centre in Iqaluit is offering new Inuktitut revitalization courses this month, designed for Inuit who have basic language skills but don’t speak the language regularly and need a refresher.

The course, which kicks off May 12, is one of the centre’s newest programs. Pirurvik already offers Inuktitut as a Second Language courses, for beginners as well as Inuktitut as a First Language enhancement programs, like typing.

But even Inuktitut mother tongue speakers may not use the language with ease, said Leena Evic, Pirurvik’s executive director.

“The course is targeted at Inuit who aren’t functional speakers,” she said. “Perhaps they weren’t raised in that environment, or lost their language skills through their life, or maybe they just don’t feel confident.”

“The need is definitely there — we know our communities,” she added.

The course, which starts May 12, is sponsored by the Government of Nunavut and open to everyone, free of charge.

While Pirurvik offers programming throughout Nunavut, this course is only being offered in Iqaluit for the time being. Evic said it will eventually expand to other communities.

The program itself is more flexible and easier to deliver, given that students already understand the culture, Evic said.

While beginner Inuktitut classes generally limit enrollment to 10 students, the revitalization classes will have the capacity to accept more students.

Classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays starting June 12, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Nunavummiut interested in registering for the program require approval from their workplace supervisor.

To register, visit Pirurvik’s website or send an email to Marlene Angnakak at marlene@pirurvik.ca.