Special UPEI Convocation in Iqaluit for Inuit MEd graduates on July 1
On July 1, during a special Convocation in Iqaluit, 21 Inuit educational leaders from across Nunavut will graduate with a Master of Education degree from the University of Prince Edward Island.
The Master of Education in Leadership in Learning is the first graduate degree program to be offered in Nunavut. Most of the graduates are mature students who are already working as educators in their communities. They studied part-time over three years through face-to-face courses in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet combined with on-line learning.
The specially tailored curriculum balanced western and Inuit knowledge of education and educational leadership. It was developed and delivered through a unique partnership between the University of Prince Edward Island, Nunavut Department of Education, Nunavut Arctic College, and St. Francis Xavier University.
"This is a great achievement for UPEI and our Faculty of Education, in combination with the community in Nunavut, to offer this remarkable program," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "The greatest credit goes to the 21 graduates and to the faculty who have pioneered in the program and made a success of it." MacLauchlan and the UPEI Chancellor will take part in the Canada Day Convocation, along with representatives of the UPEI Faculty of Education.
During the ceremony, Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak and Minister of Education Louis Tapardjuk will join Chancellor Bill Andrew in presenting honorary degrees to two respected Elders, Mariano Aupilardjuk and Meeka Arnaquq.
Mariano Aupilardjuk is a philosopher, artist, drum dancer, song writer, cultural worker and activist who lives in Rankin Inlet. Widely recognized for his wisdom, his teachings, and healing abilities, he speaks of values and traditional knowledge in a way that links the past, the present and the future of Inuit in Nunavut. He teaches youth traditional Inuit land skills, advises the RCMP, speaks to government, and facilitates community and pan-territorial healing services. He has received numerous awards including the Northwest Territories Facilitator for Youth and Elders Award, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Award.
Meeka Arnaquq is well known for her innovative development of healing circles. She often works with her husband, Abraham, to provide healing to Inuit who are incarcerated. Using traditional pedagogy in the areas of language, cultural identity, healing, and spiritual well-being, she draws on traditional practices to build inmates' strength and develop direction for the future. She worked as an adult educator with Nunavut Arctic College for 18 years in Pangnirtung where she taught Inuktitut and traditional life skills, and provided counseling to adults. The NWT Status of Women has honoured her with the Wise Woman Award, and Arctic College recognized her contribution to mental health and healing with an Honorary Diploma in Social work.
The UPEI Master of Education in Leadership in Learning will be re-offered in Nunavut in 2010.
