Kuujjuaq (September 11, 2017) – After nearly 40 years of existence, the Kativik School Board will unveil a new logo at a special event today at Jaanimmarik School, in Kuujjuaq.

“The development of the organization’s new visual identity was shaped by a strategic planning process that the school board undertook from 2014 to 2017,” said Alicie Nalukturuk, President of the Kativik School Board. Approved by the Council of Commissioners last year, the strategic plan of the school board is now available to Nunavimmiut on the school board’s website.

“The new logo marks a fresh start. It reflects our vision of education and the strategic directions identified by the school board, where Inuit language, values and identity are at the core of quality education services that enable students to achieve their full potential within a global context,” added Alicie Nalukturuk.

Work accomplished by the school board over the last three years testifies to this vision. “For example, resources and expertise have been devoted to the use of new technologies in Inuktitut classrooms since 2014,” said Alicie Nalukturuk. The school board developed the iNaqittaq App, a syllabics keyboard for electronic devices available to Nunavimmiut for free on the Mac App Store. iNaqittaq features a handwriting recognition tool that enables users to type syllabics by writing on the screen of their device with their finger tip. Furthermore, all Grade 1 to Grade 3 classes are now equipped with SMART Tableswhere a total of 1,570 activities developed by the school board were uploaded to complement the Grade 1, 2 and 3 curriculums. These activities ease the transition from 1^st language to 2^nd language and reinforce the numeracy terminology. “Our curriculums have also been restructured to ensure a consistent progression of learning and seamless bridging of 1^st and 2^nd language,” said Alicie Nalukturuk.

The on-going development of a Nunavik history program for the regular and adult education sectors, the recent accreditation of our Secondary 4 Mathematics, Secondary Sciences and Technology programs, as well as Nunavik Sivunitsavut are prime examples of successful initiatives spearheaded by the school board, with the support of Nunavik organizations. A cohort of 18 students is currently enrolled in courses offered at Nunavik Sivunitsavut. “This initiative will play a positive role in increasing perseverance at the postsecondary level. It contributes to a more diverse offering of post-secondary opportunities for Nunavik youth,” said Alicie Nalukturuk.

“Time and continuity are essential to the implementation of changes in education,” said Nalukturuk. “The school board’s strategic plan will play an important role, steering us in the right direction towards long-term goals,” she concluded.

Along with the new logo, the school board will now use the Inuktitut version of its name, spelled in syllabic and roman alphabets. This choice stands as a statement of the school board’s dual mandate under the JBNQA. It also stands as a statement of the school board’s specific identity as an organization working with and for communities that are home to a total population of 10,755 Inuit (Statistics Canada, 2017 and Nunavik in figures, 2015).

When choosing the new logo, the Council of Commissioners also adopted a resolution demanding that the name of the school board be changed to Nunavimmi Ilisarniliriniq, to clearly identify the geographical location of the population the school board is serving. The procedures related to the name change were initiated earlier this year. Pending formal approval by the relevant authorities, the school board will continue to use its current name: Kativik Ilisarniliriniq.

About us:

The Kativik School Board (KSB) 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 KSB 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. 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