Listening, Connecting, Supporting: An Education Consultant’s Role with Families
We often picture education consultants working in classrooms or with teachers. At Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (KI), some consultants support parents and caregivers directly. Within the Adult Education department, Camille Béland-Pomerleau is rebuilding a program that delivers practical, culturally grounded workshops on parenting and family well-being in Nunavik communities.
A new program focused on parenting and family well-being
Camille works with communities to coordinate workshops on parenting, daily routines, and wellness. Drawing on local knowledge, she adapts the materials to ensure they reflect each community’s unique realities. The goal is to make learning accessible, grounded in culture, and relevant to everyday life.
My goal is to give communities the space to make their own requests or provide them with pre-designed workshops on parenting, child development, and wellness.
Participation is designed to feel simple and welcoming. Camille ensures that materials are available in Inuktitut, that on-site interpretation is provided, and that registration processes are clear and accessible through familiar channels. Working with local partners, she adapts sessions to the rhythms of each community, avoiding rigid, one-size-fits-all scheduling.
Bridges, not blueprints
Rather than prescribing a fixed format, this initiative focuses on community-led delivery. The objective is to build on what already exists, supplementing with logistical support, outreach, and take-home resources as needed. When expertise from outside Nunavik is invited, the workshops are co-developed with local consultants to ensure they remain relevant. “Eventually, we want trained Inuit facilitators based in Nunavik delivering these workshops in their own communities. That way, knowledge stays and grows locally,” explains Camille.
To support this long-term vision, early workshop participants can express interest in facilitation and have access to training opportunities. Recruitment remains a challenge—positions are contract-based and may require travel—so flexible supports are in place to make the path more manageable as communities become ready.
Camille’s path to her current role
Before joining the Adult Education team, Camille worked as a student support professional at Isummasaqvik School in Quaqtaq, where she carried out intervention work and facilitated occasional in-class workshops. Taking on her current position meant stepping into a role that had been vacant for some time. This involved starting with little structure and leaning on autonomy, patience, creativity, and careful organization to rebuild a program while supporting what was already in place.
I have a great team. I’m from the South, but three of my colleagues are from Nunavik or grew up there. I wouldn’t have the knowledge I need without them. That’s what motivates me the most—we share, and we build things together.
What keeps Camille going is both her team and the mission: creating space for adults to ask for workshops that reflect their lives and offer useful, culturally relevant tools. She hopes this will inspire families to return to learning time and again, shaping it in ways that reflect their own realities and needs.
How to request or join a workshop
Communities, organizations, and employees can contact Adult Education and Vocational Training to request a workshop on a specific theme or ask about upcoming sessions. Contact the team by phone (514 482-8220 | 1 800 361-2244), email or on Messenger. Suggested themes might include school-friendly routines, well-being at home, or parent–school communication. Workshops are typically advertised via community radio, local services, and Facebook. A simplified “Request a workshop” process is in development and will be shared as the program expands.
It’s important that people in Nunavik have access to this kind of education—and that they can ask for workshops that reflect their needs and who they are.
This work is about meeting families where they are, while honouring the expertise that already exists. Grounded in collaboration, access to Inuktitut instruction, and local capacity building, the program aims to keep learning relevant, welcoming, and community-led. This way, parents feel supported, facilitators are empowered, and children benefit from strong, confident families.
Curious to know how other education consultants work with classrooms?
Check out “What is a ped counsellor anyway?”— to take a look at how education consultants support teachers, complementing Camille’s family-focused work.
We’re hiring, and we offer attractive benefits!
Apply today and join our team.