Investing in People: Community & Training Programs

Ilisaqsivik Society Community Counsellor Program

Baffinland and the QIA have been working closely with the Ilisaqsivik Society to design and implement a Community Counselor Program. This partnership has allowed Ilisaqsivik to increase the availability of culturally and linguistically relevant counselling services in Nunavut and also to increase the number of trained Inuit counsellors who are able to provide counselling services in Inuktitut. With the restrictions from COVID-19, the Ilisaqsivik Society adjusted their programming to include virtual services as well as in-community services. For more on the Ilisaqsivik Society, visit www.ilisaqsivik.ca

Community School Lunch Program

As part of Baffinland’s commitment to supporting education and healthy living in Nunavut, Baffinland’s school lunch program provides up to $300,000 annually in funding to be shared by school in the North Baffin communities.

One such school to utilize this program is the Ataguttaaluk Elementary School in Igloolik, where roughly 40,000 meals were served to students until the COVD-19 pandemic interrupted the 2019-20 school year. The daily meals provide the school’s Kindergarten to Grade 7 students with healthy choices, including Country foods when they were available from the Igloolik Hunters and Trappers Organization.

Members of Ataguttaaluk Elementary School’s staff volunteered to offer an after-school food preparation class for older students. Students worked with teachers and school administration to prepare and distribute the meals, as well as clean up afterwards, while learning about nutrition, cooking and food sanitation.

For more information on the school lunch program, contact Baffinland’s Assistant Manager, Northern Affairs, Devin Aviungana at devin.aviugana@baffinland.com

Graduate Opportunities

Education and training are important parts of Baffinland’s commitments to the North Baffin communities. We support and encourage the pursuit of post-secondary education and recognize the importance of learning and development as a pillar to the ongoing development of the North Baffin communities and all of Nunavut.

In 2020, five $5,000 scholarships were awarded to Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement and pursuing a post-secondary education. The study area of scholarship recipients evolves every year to reflect the emerging needs and trends of the extractive industry in the north. As part of our ongoing support of high school students, each high school graduate from a North Baffin community receives a laptop to support their next steps. This year, Baffinland donated 60 laptops to graduating students.

Details for the 2021 scholarship program will be announced in Spring 2021. More information is available from your Baffinland Community Liaison Officer.

Ilagiiktunut Fund

The Ilagiiktunut Nunalinnullu Pivalliajutisait Kiinaujat program offers funding to strengthen Inuit communities and families and create job readiness. The Ilagiiktunut Fund was established between QIA and Baffinland in 2014 under the IIBA.

In 2018-2019 QIA renegotiated an increase in funding to $1.1 million per year. QIA and Baffinland contribute equally to the fund. Projects selected for funding promote resilient communities, strong families, and job readiness. For more information, visit www.qia.ca