Kuujjuaq (November 30, 2017) – Kativik Ilisarniliriniq wishes to extend its warmest congratulations to Siaja Mark Mangiuk who has been nominated as the 2017 Indspire Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Award recipient under the category Culture, Language and Traditions. The prestigious distinction will be awarded to Siaja, on Friday December 1^st, at a ceremony held on the occasion of the Indspire National Gathering for Indigenous Education, in Montreal.

“In Nunavik, the work of Inuit educators and teachers is essential to (re)connect young Nunavimmiut with their identity, language and culture. We are really proud that the extraordinary work of Siaja Mark Mangiuk and her specific contribution as an Indigenous educator are being recognized with this prestigious national award”, said Alicie Nalukturuk, Past President of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq.

Siaja Mark Mangiuk currently teaches at Nuvviti School, in Ivujivik. As a teacher, she constantly develops educational projects aiming to ensure students’ success. She devotes time and energy to involve parents. Her compassion and her humanity make her an exceptional teacher able to adapt to the different needs of students while helping them grow and learn in a stress-free environment.

Active on the pedagogical development forefront, Siaja also collaborates with UQAT to create programs focused on the preservation and strengthening of the Inuktitut language. An active member of the UQAT co-management group for teacher training programs, Siaja is working closely with colleagues from Puvirnituq to develop an education glossary of Inuktitut terminology and concepts. At the regional level, Siaja is also recognized for her knowledge of Inuit culture, traditions and language, which she works hard to keep alive in Ivujivik and in other Inuit communities.

She received her teaching certification in 1998 and holds an undergraduate Certificate in Preschool Education and Primary Teaching in a Northern Environment from the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). Siaja is a longtime teacher and pedagogical counsellor. She has been working with Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the school board of Nunavik, since 1989.

About us:

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq was created in 1975, under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). Since 1978, it has been the exclusive provider of educational services to all Nunavik residents. Under the JBNQA, the school board also acts as an institution with unique powers and jurisdiction geared towards the protection and development of the Inuit language, culture, and way of life, through the delivery of tailored educational services and programs. The education programs developed by the school board are offered in all schools of the 14 Nunavik communities, in Inuktitut as first language and in French and English as second languages. The school board operates 17 primary and secondary schools as well as 5 adult education centres and a pre-college facility. More information can be found at: www.kativik.qc.ca

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 For information, please contact:

Jade Duchesneau-Bernier

Communications Coordinator

publicrelations@kativik.qc.ca