(February 23, 2017) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Aluki Kotierk today expressed disappointment with the Government of Nunavut’s (GN) proposed budget. Finance Minister Keith Peterson tabled the budget in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly yesterday. Kotierk said she expected reference to the development of sufficiently detailed Inuit Employment Plans (IEP). She noted that IEP’s are outstanding and legally required under Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement.

To meet Inuktut education goals, substantial financial commitments to train and hire Inuit educators and Inuktut language specialists are needed along with major investments to fund Inuktut curriculum development. This would be a step toward ensuring there are qualified Inuit employed in government positions. Further, while it is good that the GN has increased its funding for suicide prevention, increasing Inuktut instruction in schools would restore pride to Inuit youth and lessen the erosion of Inuit culture.

“The Minister of Finance states that education is their top priority, yet the Government of Nunavut’s proposed budget will not significantly increase the number of available Inuit educators nor will it increase the amount of Inuktut language instruction. This is appalling. The erosion of Inuktut and Nunavut’s education system will continue under this government. I truly expected to see a budget that contained major investments in Inuit teachers and Inuktut curricula.” said Kotierk.

For further information:

Kerry McCluskey
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4914 Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006
Cell: (867) 222-2893

www.tunngavik.com