Nunavik Sivunitsavut: A way to make your own path
Each year, a few determined Nunavimmiut travel to Montreal to participate in a life-changing experience: Nunavik Sivunitsavut, a post-secondary program focused on Nunavik-based knowledge and culture.
Nunavik Sivunitsavut (NS) is a unique program that is open to JBNQA beneficiaries. Its purpose is to equip Nunavimmiut with skills that will be useful throughout their lives, whatever their next step may be. The program also offers credits that are transferable to all college programs in Quebec. In sum, NS can be seen as a fresh start or as a springboard towards a next step.
As beneficiaries of the JBNQA, registered students are also eligible for the Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (KI) sponsorship program. It offers personalized and comprehensive support for students who must leave Nunavik in order to pursue post-secondary studies. The program includes financial allowances to help cover daily expenses (groceries, telephone, Internet, school supplies, etc.), housing options adapted to each person’s needs, support for single-parent families, and more.
In the spring of 2024, we met Sarah Samisack (Inukjuak), Vicky Roussel (Kuujjuaraapik) and Elena Nassak (Kangiqsujuaq) as they were finishing their courses at NS. They told us how they were able to adapt this program to their families’ specific needs.
Sarah is originally from Inukjuak. She talked about the complexity of leaving her community and moving to Montreal with her children to study for a year. “I’m leaving footsteps for my kids to follow in. It’s not easy. You must make a promise to yourself and keep it. Make it happen. I received support from the very beginning. My daycare fees are being paid, and I can get reimbursed for school supplies. There will always be hard times, but you can do this. It’s a sacrifice that will be worth it in the end.”
Elena, who comes from Kangiqsujuaq and has roots in Kuujjuaq and Kangirsuk, also travelled to Montreal with her children.
At first it was really hard for me, but I managed to get through it. It’s a lot easier for me now. My children are in an after-school program sponsored by KI, which gives me time to complete my assignments on time. It’s hard sometimes, but now I know more about my culture and history. It’s been very eye-opening.
Originally from Kuujjuaraapik, Vicky also went back to school after starting a family. “I wanted to reconnect with my culture and remind myself why I came down south. It’s never too late to start school. Here, we learn a lot of things that we didn’t learn in Nunavik. I am able to have longer conversations in Inuktitut now,” she added with a laugh.
Nunavik Sivunitsavut has a team of academic counsellors and psychosocial support staff that are always available to assist students. In addition to these personalized services, KI-sponsored students can receive support that includes daycare services, suitable accommodations, school registration for their children, or financial assistance.
To find out more about the courses offered at Nunavik Sivunitsavut, please visit this website.
To find out more about the Kativik Ilisarniliriniq Post-Secondary Sponsorship program, please visit our website.