GN discourages the attainment of higher education

The inability of the Government of Nunavut to enforce — or more importantly encourage — a reasonable level of educational requirements to obtain GN jobs is a disgrace.

While Nunavummiut have been subject to historical dislocation and face a crisis with cultural identity, the lack of incentive to actively pursue and embrace education (both formal and traditional) will become – if it is not already – a serious issue in maintaining control of our Territorial government.

If Nunavut wishes to remain an independent governmental entity, then measures must be taken to ensure we can effectively do our jobs. What this means is basic education for every employee, from the administrative assistants to the deputy minister.

Is a basic high school education an essential attribute for an effective employee? No.

Does a basic high school education ultimately mean you are wholly qualified for any GN job? Absolutely not.

But what this means is that we can be at least that much more confident that our government employees are literate and functional individuals, who have the discipline and self-motivation to complete a high school degree. What this further ensures is that our employees are basically educated and — for the most part — socially adept.

We can be sure our employees have had consistent successful interactions with authority figures, have had to deal with difficult situations, have had to — at some point — challenge themselves, and have — at some point -—succeeded in challenging themselves.

As it stands, what is the incentive for Nunavummiut to graduate from high school when they can drop out and get a career with the GN that pays more than the average educated family in Canada earns in one year?

Frankly, Nunavummiut should be slightly concerned if the rising generation doesn’t seek to attain post-secondary education – let alone high school, which is fundamental for upper management and many finance based positions with the GN.

We will continue to rely upon contract-based positions filled by Qallunaaq from the South, which continues the cycle of dependence. To be fair, most of them genuinely care for the North and seek to maintain the GN’s autonomous state.

While I fully recognize that there are many social factors at play that bear heavy influence on this issue and the consequences of which may make pursuing education in Nunavut more difficult or questionable than in the South, Nunavummiut must step to the plate and recognize that education is important in the development of both the individual and, in this case, independent territorial government.

It is time to reconcile with school and further educate ourselves so that for years to come Nunavummiut can remain legitimately proud to be “Our Land” with ‘Our Government’ to effectively back it up.

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit

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