A Spotlight on Kativik Ilisarniliriniq

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (KI) is the school board responsible for providing educational services in Nunavik, a region in northern Quebec. It operates under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, established in 1975. KI serves approximately 3,400 students through 18 primary and secondary schools and 5 adult education centers. Educational instruction is provided in Inuktitut, French, and English, with a curriculum centred on Inuit culture, values, and worldview.

Location

Nunavik is a vast and remote region located north of the 55th parallel. It encompasses the Ungava Peninsula and much of the land surrounding Hudson Bay. Nunavik is home to approximately 13,000 people. Among its residents, 10,755 are Inuit, 98% of whom speak Inuktitut as their mother tongue. This region is known for its unique culture, breathtaking landscapes, and a deep connection to traditional ways of life.

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq communities

Nunavik is made up of 14 communities, each offering distinct experiences and environments.

These communities are:

1. Kuujjuaq (largest community and administrative center)

2. Akulivik

3. Aupaluk

4. Inukjuak

5. Ivujivik

6. Kangiqsualujjuaq

7. Kangiqsujuaq

8. Kangirsuk

9. Kuujjuaraapik

10. Puvirnituq

11. Quaqtaq

12. Salluit

13. Tasiujaq

14. Umiujaq

Nunavik’s communities are connected by air travel and are situated in one of the most pristine and ecologically significant parts of Canada, offering opportunities for wildlife observation, traditional hunting and fishing, and immersion in Inuit culture.

Educational Approach

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq approaches education from a holistic perspective. The services they deliver— as well as the curriculum and programs they develop—are rooted in the Inuit definition of Inuguiniq, an education process that seeks to develop the human being as a whole through direct engagement with the environment and the community. Their objective is to provide students with access to learning based on Inuit values, culture, language, history, worldview and approaches to pedagogy.

Language of Instruction

• Kindergarten to Grade 2:

• All instruction is in Inuktitut.

• Grades 1 and 2:

• Second language (English or French) introduced for 90 minutes per week.

• Grade 3:

• Instruction is 50% in the second language (English or French), with the remaining in Inuktitut.

• Grade 4 and Beyond:

• Instruction shifts to the second language (English or French) for most subjects.

• Inuktitut continues as a subject and is incorporated into culture, religion, and sometimes physical education courses.

Student Support Services

“Every child is different. Some have special needs. Our role is to help children get the right support in partnership with their families. Our schools provide a wealth of resources and expertise.”

KI supports student well-being through culturally relevant and comprehensive services. Student Support Professionals (SSPs) address psychosocial needs such as emotional regulation, mental health, and behavioural challenges, working closely with teachers, families, and community organizations. Services focus on prevention, intervention, and crisis care while integrating Inuit culture to strengthen identity and resilience. Additional initiatives, such as summer schools and tailored training programs, promote academic success and career readiness across the region.

Adult Education

Throughout several of Nunavik’s villages, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq offers a variety of education and training services for adults. The programs offered are available in a classroom-based or distance education format and range from high school level courses to vocational training. KI requires a diverse skill set among its employees in order to provide quality education to students, preparing them to work in their community.

Why Kativik Ilisarniliriniq?

The school board employs about 1,400 staff, with 90% of the workforce based in Nunavik. KI offers several employee benefits, including subsidized housing, moving allowances, isolation and retention premiums, food transport subsidies, and comprehensive insurance and pension plans. By partnering with the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and McGill University, KI offers in-house professional development for staff to support career advancement in education. The board also offers employees a Special Education Certification.

Nunavik offers a unique and rewarding environment for those passionate about education and cultural engagement. Employees work closely with the community, contributing to preserving and fostering Inuit traditions while supporting students' academic and personal growth​.

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