Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today launched the NTI Elections 2014 public service announcement contest for Grade 9 Social Studies students in Nunavut schools. The contest is part of the joint curriculum initiative that NTI and the Government of Nunavut launched last week.

As part of the contest, Grade 9 students are asked to record digital public service announcements aimed at encouraging young Inuit to vote in NTI Elections. NTI will hold an election for vice-president on Dec. 8, 2014. All Inuit who are 16 years of age on or before election day, and are enrolled under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement are eligible to vote in NTI Elections.

“NTI’s goal in developing the NTI Elections curriculum initiative and developing the contest for Grade 9 Social Studies students is to promote awareness among youth about democracy, the electoral process and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, while also stressing to youth the importance of participating in NTI Elections,” said Towtongie.

Each school is eligible to submit one digital public service announcement before the deadline of Oct. 31, 2014. A panel of NTI staff will judge the entries and announce the winning submissions by Nov. 3, 2014. Submissions will be broadcast in Nunavut via social media websites. First prize is $2,500 for the winning school, second prize is $1,000.