Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today announced the application period for the Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship will open next week, April 1, 2012.

The forms are available on NTI’s website, and information packages were distributed to all schools, Nunavut Arctic College campuses, hamlet offices and Community Liaison Officers.

“NTI remains dedicated to ensuring the work Jose did throughout his life to promote Inuit culture, language, and rights continues to be relevant to all Inuit, including students pursuing post-secondary studies,” said Towtongie.

As well as completing the application form, applicants must write a 500-word essay that discusses in detail how they will use their education to promote Inuit rights, identity, language and culture. All essays must be original and must not plagiarize work already published by other writers. It is preferable that applicants be enrolled in education or Inuit language studies. However, exceptions can be made if the applicant clearly illustrates how his or her studies and work will contribute to the advancement of Inuit rights.

The scholarship will award two Inuit each with $5,000 to pursue studies at accredited post-secondary institutions. An NTI jury will review the applications and select the students based on their fields of study, written essay, and references.

Applications are due by July 9, 2012, Nunavut Day. Students who are enrolled as Beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement are eligible for the scholarship.