Bring the folk school to the capital

Iqaluit’s capital is an ideal location for a cultural school, says the Iqaluit district education authority in a 10-page proposal to the minister of culture, language, elders and youth last month.

IDEA pressed on with its proposal even after finding no indication of support for the project among local MLAs.

The proposal was a response to a request for letters of interest from any of Nunavut’s communities. That request was sent to DEAs across Nunavut, and was open to anyone who wanted to propose their community as the location for a new cultural school.

The IDEA suggests Iqaluit is a good location for the folk school because: community members represent all regions of Nunavut; there are already resources in town that the school could take advantage of; and the central location is cost-effective. An Iqaluit folk school could collaborate with other groups in the capital to work on larger projects, such as language development.

The IDEA also points to the need for a cultural revival in Iqaluit and beyond.

“We believe that locating Piqqusilirivvik in Iqaluit would serve to demonstrate to Nunavummiut, Canadians and the world, how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit can lead the rebuilding of strong Inuit cultural practices in Iqaluit, and lead the transformation of our education system in Nunavut.”

Iqaluit Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik included a letter of support.