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Inukjuak students speak live to Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield

Inukjuak, Nunavik, QC (April 8, 2013) – This week, students at the Innalik School in Inukjuak will be talking live to Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, Commander of the International Space Station. The radio contact will occur on Friday April 12, 2013, at 13h30, while the International Space Station travels over Inukjuak, about 400 km above the earth. 

“Our students have been preparing questions for astronaut Chris Hadfield” says Haley Digel, teacher at the Innalik School. “The space contact is an exciting activity, which offers the opportunity to introduce scientific notions to our students in a very concrete manner”, adds Digel.

During the space contact, the Innalik School will also welcome members of the Inukjuak community. “This program plays an important role in energizing our students' interest in science and technology”, says Paul Bourassa, Innalik School Principal. “It is great that parents and community members are able to participate along with our students”, he continues.

During the days preceding the radio contact with astronaut Chris Hadfield, students will be offered workshops on the phenomenon of northern lights. If the weather allows, a nighttime observation excursion is also planned.

For the past years, this special program was offered to Nunavik schools under the sponsorship of the Makivik Corporation, First Air and Air Inuit. The program is coordinated by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

About us:

The Kativik School Board (KSB) was created in 1975, under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Since 1978, it has been the exclusive provider of academic services to the Nunavik population. Education programs developed by the KSB are offered in schools of the 14 Nunavik communities, in Inuktitut as first language and in French and English as second languages. More information at: www.kativik.qc.ca

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For information contact:

Kaudjak Padlayat

Public Relations Officer

Kativik School Board

(514) 482-8220

publicrelations@kativik.qc.ca

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The 2013 Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair begins tomorrow

KUUJJUAQ, Nunavik, Qc. (March 18, 2013) - The 2013 Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair will take place on Tuesday March 19 and Wednesday March 20, 2013, at the Jaanimmarik School in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik.

The event is organized by the Quebec Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association (QASEA), in collaboration with the Kativik School Board (KSB).

Over a hundred aboriginal youth from elementary and secondary schools of First Nations, and Inuit communities of Quebec are flying to Kuujjuaq today.

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Nunavimmiut are no strangers to the challenges posed by development. The 1975 James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement recognized the rights of Nunavik Inuit over a vast territory, granting legal status and a special regime of governance. The 2002 Sanarrutik Agreement established a new nation-to-nation relationship between Nunavik and Québec and put forward a common vision of economic and community development. However, with international demand for mineral and hydroelectric resources expected to grow significantly, efforts must be made now so that this development does not threaten our future.

For More information on the science fair please click on the poster below.