The Loran Scholars Foundation announced its 2023 recipients, awarding 36 students from across Canada with $100,000 scholarships.

NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 recipient this year was IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 Akutaq Williamson Bathory.

Bathory has had quite the year already, taking part in the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Games, starting a peer support group in school, all the while set to graduate from high school.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 incredible, I still donSA国际影视传媒檛 believe it myself. ISA国际影视传媒檝e had people coming up to congratulate me and I donSA国际影视传媒檛 even know what to say,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Bathory after graduating is planning to study social science and sociology as part of her post-secondary education.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 really looking forward to it,SA国际影视传媒� she commented.

The Loran Award in addition to the scholarship, also provides a four-year support program, from tuition waivers, financial support as well as a peer/mentor program.

SA国际影视传媒淚 look forward to that support,SA国际影视传媒� said Bathory, SA国际影视传媒渆specially being from Nunavut where ISA国际影视传媒檓 not exactly used to the big city life, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 really reassuring to have that support there.SA国际影视传媒�

This year, at Inuksuk High School, Bathory along with her friend Kimberly Canlas, started a peer support group in their school following a suicide in the community.

SA国际影视传媒淲e wanted to do something that would allow youth space for them to speak about what theySA国际影视传媒檙e going through if thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what they need or to just have a group thatSA国际影视传媒檚 there for them,SA国际影视传媒� explained Bathory.

Sessions for the peer support group started a few months ago and she hopes it continues when they move on.

SA国际影视传媒淭o have that support within your peers is reassuring for many people,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important to make sure that your mental health is prioritized, especially with suicide rates being really high. To know that you do have support and there are people willing to help you get through the difficult times.SA国际影视传媒�

Relearning Inuktitut

Bathory is currently in the process of relearning Inuktitut, something she initially learned in through her school education, but then subsequently lost it due to the lack of educational resources in higher grades.

SA国际影视传媒淚 lost it when I transitioned into full-time English, I was in the Inuktitut stream up until Grade 4, then I had to transition into full-time English,SA国际影视传媒� said Bathory.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat was difficult because I was behind my peers because they knew how to read and write. I had to gain those skills in Grade 5.SA国际影视传媒�

She says NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 education system isnSA国际影视传媒檛 set up to preserve or educate people in Inuktitut and as a result, other students are also likely losing their language by the time they reach high school.

SA国际影视传媒淚t isnSA国际影视传媒檛 well-provided to maintain the language, I lost how to read and write Inuktitut.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚nuktitut courses just need to be better supported, to have that course material provided to them. The Inuktitut teachers themselves have to create the whole course, they have to create the whole program for the year,SA国际影视传媒� said Bathory, compared to English courses having various textbooks and materials to draw from.

She still encouraged Inuktitut usage among family and friends before, during and after Inuktitut education ends in school.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 how the culture stays alive, you have language by speaking it and practicing the language to keep it alive.SA国际影视传媒�