June 29, 2011 - The National Strategy on Inuit Education has officially been released. The strategy, developed in association with the GNWT’s Department of Education Culture and Employment (ECE), includes a series of bold new recommendations to empower parents, expand early childhood programs and gather detailed research data.

The ultimate goal of the strategy is to increasing graduation rates and opportunities amongst the Inuit population in the Canadian Arctic.

“Many of the proposed actions align with work our Department is already undertaking with the Aboriginal Student Achievement (ASA) Initiative,” says Minister of ECE, Jackson Lafferty. “This strategy will incorporates community, regional and territorial engagement, and aims to bring together key players in Inuit education from across Canada.”

The strategy is the result of two years of intense work by the National Committee on Inuit Education. The Committee is made up of representatives from federal, provincial, territorial and regional governments, as well as school boards and regional and national Inuit organizations.

"As partners of the Committee on Inuit Education," says Nellie Cournoyea, Chair and CEO, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, "We are pleased that the Strategy document has been completed and is ready for implementation. The task towards its implementation will take a dedicated team effort to build upon the key elements of the strategy in stressing the importance of early childhood education with a strong focus on retaining and relearning Aboriginal languages.

For a copy of the First Canadians, Canadians First: The National Strategy on Inuit Education visit http://www.itk.ca/publications/national-strategy-inuit-education. For more information, please contact:

Amy Doerksen
Manager, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-6222
Email: Amy_Doerksen@gov.nt.ca

Ashley Green
Officer, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-3059
Email: Ashley_Green@gov.nt.ca