New Kajusivik Residence Opens in Kuujjuaq for Adult Students

A new residence designed to support adult students opened on March 5, 2024, in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. The Kajusivik residence will accommodate up to 84 individuals, a significant increase from the previous facility, which could only house about 10 people. This two-storey building is strategically located in the heart of the community and aims to enhance educational opportunities for adult Inuit students.

The Kajusivik residence not only offers individual rooms but also provides communal spaces for studying and cultural gatherings. Facilities include a cafeteria, a gym, a daycare, and modular lodgings that can host single occupants or entire families. The overall project cost $55 million, with funding sourced from the federal government and Quebec’s Ministry of Education.

Supporting Inuit Education

The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve education access for adult Inuit students within their home region. According to Harriet Keleutak, the director general of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the region’s school board, the residence addresses a longstanding barrier to education: the need for students to leave their communities to pursue studies.

Keleutak emphasized the importance of this new facility, stating, “It’ll open new roads for Inuit to take college programs or even finish their high school. It’s a big step for Nunavik.” The residence aims to keep more Inuit students engaged in their education without the stress of moving away from home.

In 2023, a temporary adult education and vocational training centre was established in Kuujjuaq, accommodating up to 50 students. Officials have announced plans to double its capacity by 2030, which reflects ongoing efforts to expand educational facilities in the region.

New Programs and Future Plans

Starting in September 2023, the training centre will introduce a variety of new programs, including accounting courses, a college-level program in early childhood education, and a university certificate in First Nations and Inuit education, developed in collaboration with McGill University. Future offerings will also include training in heavy equipment operations to address the region’s need for skilled labor.

Keleutak noted that the Kajusivik residence will enable the school board to offer more programs and courses that were previously unavailable on a full-time basis. “It will allow us to offer more programs that we couldn’t do full-time before,” she said.

The opening of the Kajusivik residence marks a significant milestone in Nunavik’s educational landscape, providing essential support for adult students and contributing to the overall goal of increasing post-secondary options for all residents. The enhanced facilities and new programs represent a commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering educational growth within the community.