Literacy in Nunavut
by Kim Crockatt*

On April 1st, 1999, the map of Canada changed forever with the creation of a new territory called Nunavut. Nunavut (noo-na-voot), is an Inuktitut word which means “our land”. This new territory is an Inuit homeland for people who trace their ancestry back 4000 years. Nunavut has a total population of 24,730 people, 16,000 of those are Inuit. At 1,235,200 square kilometres, it comprises one-fifth of Canada’s land mass. Much of Nunavut remains uninhabited although settlements stretch as far north as Ellesmere Island.

In the high arctic community of Pelly Bay, 40 people recently participated in a strategic planning session to plot the future course of their community. Elders expressed their concerns about the health of the Inuktitut language, the high drop-out rate at school and difficulties in developing a strong local workforce. Literacy Coordinator Sadie Komaksuit agreed with those attending that low literacy levels in Inuktitut and English are at the root of most of these problems. This community, like many others, has resolved to do something about it.

Literacy levels in Nunavut are some of the lowest in Canada. Residents struggle to maintain their own language while trying to master the English that is necessary to get an advanced education and wage-paying jobs. However, rather than fearing the future, many people feel optimistic. The Inuit have faced extraordinary change. Many people grew up with parents speaking only Inuktitut and teachers speaking only English. It is therefore understandable that they have difficulty speaking fluently in either language. The Inuit culture is rich in oral history, however it is only recently, historically speaking, that formal education has been introduced. Books and reading materials are expensive and most communities do not yet have public libraries.

Communities are beginning to establish definitions of Aboriginal language literacy for themselves as a starting point to developing long-term strategies.

Two such things are pictured here: Drumdancing/Storytelling - This was one of the many community literacy activities held in the May Hakongak Community Library. Last year we had the same thing except out in a huge igloo built for the occasion; & the Library Reading Tent - This is another favourite place for storytelling and reading and the kids love it. The May Hakongak Community Library Committee painted the tent with the help of artist Cyndi Foster.

The NWT Literacy Council supports this approach by offering communities assistance with developing culturally relevant, truly community-based literacy programs. In order to address the low literacy levels, language revitalization and literacy programs must focus on the individual, the family and the community. Hamlet Councils and other community organizations are aware of these issues and enthusiastically support literacy initiatives. With such broad-based support, as in Pelly Bay, one can see why there is such confidence for the future.

* Kim Crockatt is a Community Literacy Development Facilitator with the Northwest Terrotories Literacy Council. She provides resources, workshops and assistance to communities in Nunavut who are interested in developing new or enhancing existing literacy programs.