Pep rally draws 85 college staff

When 85 teachers, administrators and support staff from Nunavut Arctic College met in Iqaluit last week, Nunatta campus director Peesee Pitsiulak took note that only half of the people present were Inuit.

But, like Meeka Arnaquq, an elder and adult educator in Pangirtung who spoke during one of the sessions, Pitsiulak is convinced that the only way to boost the number of Inuit staff and instructors is by working “slowly and surely.”

That was just one of the messages the college elite heard from staff from around Nunavut who participated in a day and a half of “visioning sessions,” where staff discussed how the college was doing, and what they’d like to see change.

Top of the list was more emphasis on Inuit languages and culture – both as an academic pursuit and as an element in other courses.

The week-long event was the first territorial college get-together in seven years. Mac Clendenning, president of the college, hopes to increase the frequency to every three years.

“We’re not a large college by southern standards, but it’s hard for people to stay connected,” Clendenning said.