New Kuujjuaq Residence Boosts Educational Opportunities in Nunavik

A new residence in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, is reshaping post-secondary education opportunities for Inuit students in Nunavik. Opened in August 2023, the $55 million Kajusivik residence provides essential support for families, allowing students to pursue their education without the need to leave their community.

For Jeannie Papigatuk, a mother of three originally from Salluit, the new facility has been life-changing. Living in the Kajusivik residence enables her to focus on obtaining her teaching certificate while her children benefit from on-site daycare services. “It’s a major relief,” Papigatuk expressed in French. “My kids have a place to go… Now I can focus on me and my studies.”

Enhanced Facilities for Student Success

The Kajusivik residence can accommodate up to 84 residents, a significant increase from the previous facility, which housed only ten. Alice Berthe, director of the Kajusivik Adult Education Centre, noted the limitations of the old residence: “No families could come, so it was very limited. But now with the new centre, it’s great.” The upgraded amenities include modern bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen facilities, vastly improving the educational experience for residents.

Many Inuit students who wish to pursue further education often face the challenge of relocating to urban centers in the South, where they may feel isolated and disconnected. Paulasie Qinuajuak, who briefly attended John Abbott College in Montreal, described his experience as “way different” from life in Nunavik. “It feels like you’re in an isolated area, like there’s nothing else much to do,” he remarked.

According to Eva Kauki, commissioner for Kuujjuaq as part of the Kativik Ilisarniliriniq school board, the struggles faced by students leaving Nunavik are common. “To be a student that never actually left Nunavik [before]… It’s hard, very hard,” she explained in Inuktitut. Despite support from teachers and counselors, the emotional toll can be overwhelming for many.

Creating a Supportive Community

The Kajusivik residence aims to foster a supportive environment for students by offering a network of resources, including cooks, a school counselor, and a social worker. Various events, such as movie nights, yoga classes, and crafting workshops, are organized to keep students engaged and connected to their community. Susan Nulukie, the residence manager, highlighted the importance of these activities: “I know they’re feeling homesick if they’re stuck in their room. We need to keep them active.”

Notably, the residence features eight dedicated family rooms and a daycare for children under five, all currently occupied. Nulukie pointed out the significance of these accommodations, particularly for young families. “We are a culture with a lot of [young] families,” she noted. “I think the best time to be motivated to go back to school is when you’re a parent because you want to do better for your kids.”

While the new residence represents progress, Kauki emphasized that more needs to be done to retain students in the education system. Currently, about 80 percent of students in Nunavik drop out before completing high school, and only three percent graduate from a post-secondary institution. With many job opportunities requiring specialized skills, it is crucial for the region’s education system to adapt.

In response to these challenges, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq has announced plans to expand its adult education and vocational training center by 2030, aiming to double its capacity to approximately 100 students. The initiative will include additional college-level and professional courses, such as heavy equipment operation, to meet local demand.

As the Kajusivik residence continues to support students like Jeannie Papigatuk, the dream of pursuing education while remaining close to family and culture becomes more achievable. “My dream is to be able to teach my culture, my language and share that knowledge with the next generation,” she said, embodying the hope and determination that the new facility represents for the future of Nunavik’s students.