I am the youngest of seven children and I am originally from a small outpost camp, Bay Chimo, Nunavut, south of Cambridge Bay. It is here that I first began school in a small one room school house. All of us children required a translator at first as none of us spoke English. After grade five I was forced to leave home to a residential school in Cambridge Bay in order to finish my education. It was a dark and lonely experience to have to face as a young child. Though, high school was a more positive experience I still missed home. Eventually when I did returned to my community I was shocked to realize that after years in Residential schools, I had forgotten many of my traditional skills. That is why my husband, Allan, with whom I have four wonderful children, is the most important part of my family. He and his family accepted and were patient with me, teaching me all that I had...

I was born and raised in Gjoa Haven into a very large family. I am the third oldest of eleven children. I attended school in Gjoa Haven from kindergarten till grade nine. I left home for Yellowknife in order to complete high school.  After graduating high school I worked various jobs, including a position in the school office. It was this role that nurtured my interest in teaching, which caused me to apply and graduate from the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. I love to learn and after several years of teaching I moved to Iqaluit and received my Bachelor of Education and continue to teach. I am the mother of three children and enjoy spring, summer an fall outings with my family. I have just recently started sewing with sewing machines.   

 I was born Rebecca Simailat Iyago at the Military Hospital in Fort Churchill Manitoba into a large family of twelve. My name was later changed to Becky  like the character in “Tom Sawyer” after one of my older sisters had read the book.  I attended primary, elementary and junior high school in Baker Lake before being sent off to Yellowknife for my senior high school years. Shortly after high school graduation, I applied and got accepted into Eastern Arctic Teacher Education Program (EATEP) in Frobisher Bay. It took two years to obtain a certificate from McGill. Upon graduation in 1985 I interviewed for a position in Baker Lake and was successful. My first teaching job was as a special needs teacher which I found very challenging. I then went on to teach in the primary grades K, 1 and 3. I found myself moving up the grades as the years went on. After teaching...

I was born in Iqaluit when Iqaluit was still known as Frobisher Bay, though it is in Igloolik that I have lived the most of my life, leaving only to complete post-secondary education. I have had the pleasure to have spent the majority of my teaching career thus far guiding grade one students, however, recently I was presented with an opportunity to instruct several grade six classes. It was reflecting upon my own experiences as a student at that age that interested me in this new challenge. I have enjoyed teaching grade six for two years now.  I live in Igloolik with my husband, Ayaruaq, our four children, (Linda, Somoe, Qumangaapik, and Nelleke) and four dogs. I am fortunate that we are a close family who enjoy being on the land fishing and seal hunting, but most of all we just love spending time together.  

I was born in a family camp, southwest of Pond Inlet. My earliest years were spent traveling with my parents between Pond Inlet and Igloolik. The majority of my schooling was completed in Pond Inlet, after high school I worked in the offices of both schools in the area as well as an office manager for the Community Education Council, which is where I became interested in teaching. After my family to Iqaluit for my husband work, entered into the B.Ed program and currently teaching here in Iqaluit. In addition to conventional I have also obtained education in traditional Inuit training from my grandmother, mother and other elders in child rearing, hunting, cooking, seal skin cleaning and Inuit values and principles that are important to having a happy family life.                     ...

I was born in Coral Harbour, Southampton Island. My family welcomed me, and I was named Saimanaaq Qinnguq Maatai Uuliniq Patricia by my three grandmothers’ and the priest who baptized me, named me Patricia. I lived in Coral Harbour until the age of twelve, when I left to attend school in Churchill, Manitoba. Although, my time away came to a premature halt; three years after leaving, while I was home during the holidays,  it was announced that I was arranged to be married. From that marriage I have been blessed with four children and 9 grandchildren who I love immensely. I have been working as an Educator and leader within the education field and currently hold the position of Curriculum and School Services acting manager in Arviat. Throughout my lengthy career I have been an advocate for Inuktitut to be the language of instruction in Nunavut schools, not only with the ones...

I was born in Pond Inlet, Baffin Island in Nunavut. I have three names by which I am known, Arnaujaq, Sigluk, and Inattiaq. My father Joanasie Benjamin Arreak was a Special Constable with the RCMP. This caused us to move quite a bit, though we spent spring and summer on the land no matter where we were living. I am now settled in Iqaluit with my husband Duncan. We have three grown children and have a granddaughter Grace Arnaujaq and grandson Conner James. I have held several positions in the education field from a classroom teacher to school administrator. During that time my colleagues and I had the pleasure of being a part of rewarding experiences, as well as having to cope with some difficult incidents and tragedies.  However, I treasure the experience of working as part of a team and knowing how strong we can be as a community when we come together. It is both the rewarding and...

I was born in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, the second of six children. My youth was spent moving back and forth between my grandparents’ home in Coral Harbour and my parents in Pangnirtung. While I left school after grade ten, I upgraded my high school and eventually graduated from Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP) and began working as a teacher. I have had several positions within the education system and currently a co-principle. I am also a very active participant in my community; I am on various committees within our schools, a member of Embrace Life Coucil, as well as a youth leader at church and a volunteer board member at the daycare. I enjoy learning and reading and going out on the land. My husband and I have four children and have adopted one of our grandsons, who is a joy to be with. We have four other grandchildren who we also adore.  

I was born one of ten children in Taloyoak, Nunavut. I prefer to go by my Inuktitut name, Anaomiq, as I am proud to be named after my late grandmother. I have two brothers and seven sisters, one of whom sadly passed away from lung cancer. It was my late sister who primarily raised me and it was she who encouraged me to keep looking forward. With her early encouragement I became an active member of my community; teaching, volunteering, and working with youth. I love the people and children of my community and I try my best to help those in need. I have been happily married for twenty-five years to my husband, David. We are fortunate to have three beautiful daughters together and two wonderful adopted children. Together, David and I are the proud grandparents of twelve lovely grandchildren.  It is for my family that I am taking the M.Ed program, so that I may be a better provider for...

I currently live in the town where I was born and raised, Kuujjuag, Nunavik. I began school the year the Kativik School Board took over the educational system from the government. Even though I spoke no English, school was really an enjoyable experience and secure environment for me. I then went on to CEGEP in Montreal. I found myself without direction, never finding the right program that excited me. I missed family and the simplicity of northern life, so I moved back home.  It wasn’t until I returned home and began substituting that I ignited a passion; the joy of working with children in a professional environment.                                           ...

Currently I work for the Government of Nunavut under the Department of Education as a Teaching and Learning Centre Consultant, prior to this position I was the Inuktitut Program Coordinator for Kivalliq Divisional Educational Council (KDEC). It was during this time I was introduced to the production of the “Inuuqatigiit” curriculum and had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people.  Just recently I received my Bachelor of Education Degree and I truly enjoyed being a student again.  Advancing my education was the best decision I could have made and I am excited to participate in the next level of learning.   I was born and raised in Chesterfield Inlet by both parents,  Leonie Pittausaaq and Leonard Putulik as the fifth child with nine other siblings. My husband Brian and I have three children and raised them in Chesterfield Inlet.  When we...

My introduction to this world didn’t start out like most people. I was born on an airplane enroute to Frobisher Bay from Clyde River. As there is no one place I can pinpoint as my place of birth, I have the luxury of choosing where I call home. I have chosen Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit).  Like my place of birth, I was raised by more than one set of parents; both grandparents and parents guided me through my youth. When I was living with my grandparents in Clyde River, we would spend early spring to fall living off the land; I would often be the first to leave school and one of the last to return. This never affected my learning and education has now become an integrated part of my life. I began with my teaching certificate, completed my Bachelor of Education, as well as my Certificate of Eligibility as Principle. My teaching career has been split between Clyde River and Iqaluit....

 I was born in Churchill, Manitoba, though I spent my formative years in Arviat, Nunavut, where I attended school. I am the youngest biological child in my family and the first of my six siblings to graduate high school. It wasn’t until I began studying teaching in Iqaluit that I knew I had found what I was meant to do. Initially I left after three years with my certificate so that I could return home to help support my parents. I taught for five years before returning to finish my degree.  Arviat has the fastest growing population in Nunavut and I have proudly added to that number by adopting a child from Pond Inlet. He is a wonderful boy of nine years old and I love him dearly. 

I currently live in Iqaluit with my husband, Stephane, and our four wonderful sons. My husband has another son of whom we are also very proud, he lives in Igloolik, which is actually where I was born and raised. It was here where I began my education, though I was sent to Iqaluit at the age of 16 to complete high school. Upon entering high school I became cognitive of and interested in the multiplicity of Inuit dialects surrounding me. Throughout my life I have been quite fortunate to have been surrounded by strong Inuktitut language teachers who have given me an appreciation and understanding of our rich and unique language. I have spent my career promoting the quality teaching and use of the Inuit language. Studying Inuit language and culture is my passion. One day I hope to see that all our teachers in Nunavut  will have the right guides and resources to teach at the same...

 I was born at a Nursing station in Baker Lake, NWT, where I was raised as one of six children. My parents are strong traditional believers in their Inuit culture. While growing up we only lived in Baker Lake during the school year, we were raised in the same summer camp for my whole childhood. Although, I received some instruction in the school while I was in Baker Lake, I left home at an early age in order to receive a high school education; it was not a choice. My father believed and he knew that we needed an education to survive in the western world. I went to Teacher Education Program in Frobisher Bay, N.W.T. Soon after I taught after four years I completed my Education degree with McGill University, I began to move into a leadership role within in the education field. I was asked to attend committee meetings and train as an administrator within the school. This job was...

I was born and raised in Baker Lake, Nunavut, the geographical center and the most inland community of Canada. I am the eldest of five children and the only daughter. I received the majority of my education at home until leaving to Rankin Inlet for grade eleven. I left early and returned to Baker Lake to finish my GED. This led me to attend the Kivalliq Teacher Education Program and I once again left to further my education. This time I traveled to Iqaluit where I graduated with my Bachelor of Education two years later. I am currently teaching at the elementary school in Baker Lake where I have become increasingly more involved within the educational system. I am on several committees and have served as a school representative for the Nunavut Teaching Association (NTA) as well as the Math Representative for our school. The main reason I became a teacher was because of my love of being...

 I was born and raised in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, alongside my seven siblings. However, my parents originate from Nunavik in Northern Quebec, they moved to Resolute Bay in 1952 when the government forced them to relocate.  I was able to attend school in Resolute Bay until grade six, after which I had to leave home and move to Iqaluit to complete school. After high school I received numerous certificates while attending the Nunavut Education Program, including some from the Department of Justice, as well as my Bachelor of Education. While my job experience in Nunavut has been varied, my vocational path has been quite clear and has focused on working with youth. I have been able to work directly and indirectly with adolescents both in the educational system as well as in correctional facilities. I currently hold the position of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Coordinator for Education...

 I was born in Terror Bay, NWT, eldest of nine siblings. I grew up on the land in Gjoa Haven with my family. My first introduction to formal education was at the age of three when I was first sent to a residential school in Inuvik, however, they soon realized I was too young and I returned home until the following year at age four.  It was only when I arrived to Grollier Hall, Inuvik, that I learn my name. The nuns referred to me as “Stupid Eskimo” because I resisted speaking English and required an interpreter most of the school year. I stayed at Grollier Hall to complete my high school education, but was soon forced to leave in order to help support my family. The story of my education didn’t stop there, I returned to school as soon as one was built in Gjoa Haven.  I soon applied and was accepted into a nursing program at the University of Lethbridge,...

Autobiography I was born in Winnipeg, the daughter of two teachers and the oldest of three children. I was raised in Rankin Inlet where I completed all of my school except for a year when I lived in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, with my grandmother. Near the end of my high school career I became pregnant with my son, Qaritaq. I left the following year for university, but returned home after my first year. I switched to distance education as I was much too homesick for my son, who I had had to leave behind. My husband, Pujjuut, son and I moved to Iqaluit so that I could attend the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP), where I graduated four years later with my Bachelor of Education. After graduating I began teaching and continue to do so today.