Nunavut Inuit org NTI seeks applications for Jose Amaujaq Kusugak scholarships

The memory of Inuit leader and language activist Jose Amaujaq Kusugak lives on in the annual scholarships awarded every year by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., which recently announced that the application period for the scholarships is now open.

NTI will award two Inuit students a $5,000 scholarship each to pursue studies at accredited post-secondary institutions in the areas of Inuit language and education.

Eligible post-secondary institutions include Nunavut Arctic College and academic institutions in southern Canada.

Last year’s recipients of the scholarship were two students at Nunavut Arctic College’s Nunavut Teacher Education Program, Megan Ungalaq of Igloolik and James Koomak of Arviat.

“It helped so much,” Ungalaq said about the scholarship, “especially with paying for my tuition, rent and childcare.”

Ungalaq, who has finished her NTEP studies, is now teaching kindergarten in Igloolik, in Inuktitut.

To choose the scholarship recipients, the NTI jury reviews the applications and selects students based on their fields of study, written essays and references.

Students studying in other areas are eligible if they demonstrate a link between their field of study and the pursuit and promotion of Inuit rights, NTI said.

“Jose Kusugak was a strong advocate for Inuit rights and the protection of our language rights. Each year, the additional support to Inuit students through this scholarship underscores the central importance of Inuit language. May our language continue to thrive,” said NTI President Aluki Kotierk in a release.

Kusugak died at the age of 60 in 2011.

Applications will be accepted until Sept. 11, NTI said.