Before a news conference June 5, Minister of Education David Joanasie met with Nunavut News to answer a few questions about Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act, which saw its first reading the day before in the legislative assembly.

As Joanasie notes in his news conference speech, Bill 25 sees 10 proposed amendments from the previous governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 Bill 37 modified and eight new amendments incorporated, with all proposals related to a new DEA council removed. And while Bill 37 sought to remove references to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ), Bill 25 includes a new provision that requires Inuit Societal Values and IQ to be incorporated throughout the curriculum at all grade levels.

The intention is to debate Bill 25 during the legislative assemblySA国际影视传媒檚 fall session in October.

Read Minister of Education David JoanasieSA国际影视传媒檚 speech at the June 5 news conference:

Nunavut News: What has the department accomplished with Bill 25?

David Joanasie: The main thing is that we wanted to give it back to Nunavummiut and hear what they have to say, with the intent that it reflects what Nunavummiut have to say.

NN: In which areas do you think you might get some push back?

DJ: The bill, of course, itSA国际影视传媒檚 still up for debate at standing committee (standing committee on legislation) and through the committee-of-the-whole process. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 up to the standing committee and each MLA to see how much effort weSA国际影视传媒檝e put into this, and hear what Nunavummiut have to say.

I think every communitySA国际影视传媒檚 different so each MLA, depending on what issues at their local level they might bring up SA国际影视传媒� I donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to speculate on specifics that might be brought up. Every provision that weSA国际影视传媒檙e presenting, theySA国际影视传媒檙e all up for debate.

NN: Did you use Bill 37 written submissions to help you draft Bill 25?

DJ: ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been five years weSA国际影视传媒檝e been using material from the special committee, the Bill 37 process SA国际影视传媒� Everything has culminated to today. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e used as much as we can.

NN:  I know the Department of Education has sought to establish standardization and consistency (across the territory) for assessment and measurement. I think weSA国际影视传媒檙e all well-aware each community is distinct, unique, and is proud of that, and fights for that right. How difficult is it to negotiate between the needs of an education system and the needs of a community?

DJ: Every community is unique but, looking at our territory as a whole, we are unique as a territory in Canada. ISA国际影视传媒檒l use the example of language and dialectal difference. In our education system we want to ensure our students have the skills and abilities to work with the tool of communicating, with our writing system. Whether Roman orthography or syllabics, these are tools for communication purposes.

We have a variety of dialects. That (standardization) shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 hinder students from keeping their dialects, and using their own terms for educational purposes. I think this is an exchange that will continue onward. The variety only enriches our language. If we have a common, standard writing system I think it will build better understanding between the communities across regions.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 often used that Greenland is an example. They have a writing system used in government and schools, and they still have their distinct dialects.

NN: ISA国际影视传媒檇 like to understand a bit better, and have readers understand a bit better, what is the difference between SA国际影视传媒渆ducation programSA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒渓ocal program.SA国际影视传媒�

DJ: In broad terms, education program is the general, overall core programming, whatSA国际影视传媒檚 across the board. The local program is where each DEA (District Education Authority) SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 more their prerogative. Based on their priorities they can set little programs as best they see fit. Of course, also for consistency purposes, if a DEA proposes a local program, they send it to the department for permission, and ensure they have the resources that they need.

NN: And there would be a formula for instruction time, the education program would need a certain amount of hours and local programming would be allowed a certain amount of hours?

DJ: Yes. And I think we want to strike a good balance between both. We want to have our children, our students compete and compare to other parts of Canada. We have to look at that, as well. Yes, we are a unique territory in Canada but, also, we are a part of Canada. Building an education system that reflects that is what weSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to achieve.

NN:  On the phased deadlines for bilingual education, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 the line SA国际影视传媒渨ith respect to all other courses, by the application dates specified in the regulations.SA国际影视传媒� Regulations are obviously not written yet SA国际影视传媒� that comes after legislation SA国际影视传媒� but youSA国际影视传媒檙e still looking at the same deadline for each grade, for all courses?

DJ: Yes. Based on that deadline, we want to be progressive, of course, this would be looking at our Inuit employment and our curriculum development, both sides, to see, on an annual basis, where weSA国际影视传媒檙e at. We want to build on the progress that weSA国际影视传媒檝e made to date. We want to move forward, get Inuit teachers in place.

NN: And Education staff? There are vacancies in the department.

DJ: Yes. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a current issue that weSA国际影视传媒檙e facing. Moving forward, weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to try to address this as best we can.

NN: In terms of DEA (District Education Authorities) powers, in your estimation, does Bill 25, although it keeps some, does it remove some, as well?

DJ: From what we heard from communities and DEAs themselves, we want to support them as best we can. For example, there was a proposal to create a DEA council and with the removal of that altogether, weSA国际影视传媒檒l follow through with adding additional resources, not just financially but with human resources, to the coalition of DEAs.

I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 more about clarifying our roles at the ministerial level and at the local level.

NN: What do you say to the person who says SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 want you to change the deadline dates in the Inuit Language Protection Act. Why do you have to change the dates?SA国际影视传媒� People are saying that.

DJ: The original date that was set SA国际影视传媒� July 1, 2019 SA国际影视传媒� it was set back in 2008. ISA国际影视传媒檒l use an analogy here.  Looking at the Education Act, ISA国际影视传媒檒l use as an analogy, caribou.

Of course we know caribou is one of our valued and delicious country foods. We would love to have it three square meals a day for the rest of our lives. At that time we wanted to be able to provide caribou meat to Nunavummiut, but we know that the numbers of caribou across the Arctic are in decline, and there are pressures on the herds.

ISA国际影视传媒檓 looking at it in that sense. Right now, weSA国际影视传媒檙e in our current situation. The reality is that we have a shortage of Inuktut-speaking teachers. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 a big piece we want to reverse. At the same time we hear that language loss is at one per cent a year.

In terms of caribou, we need to protect the caribou herd. With that same intent we are pushing back the deadline (for bilingual Inuktut education), given our current reality. We need to build the capacity in order to reach that level, where we can harvest the caribou, and eat three square meals a day.

NN: In choosing these dates SA国际影视传媒� to Grade 12 for Inuktitut by 2039, for Inuinnaqtun by 2037 SA国际影视传媒� thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a rationale? It will take you a couple of years to do the curriculum for this grade, then that grade, and at the same time youSA国际影视传媒檙e building teachers?

DJ: ItSA国际影视传媒檚 complex. There are many pieces to that. Curriculum, some either needs to be developed or revised, and on top of that there are resources that need to accompany the curriculum, training for teachers, assessment practices, and getting teachers. Even space for that matter, infrastructure, because weSA国际影视传媒檙e a growing territory.

NN: Do you think this time frame will ensure Inuktitut thrives and regains the ground thatSA国际影视传媒檚 been lost so far? When do you visualize students being fully bilingual?

DJ: Right now itSA国际影视传媒檚 2019. LetSA国际影视传媒檚 say, students in Grade 1, by the time they reach Grade 12, 11 years from now, 2030, weSA国际影视传媒檒l be done to Grade 7. By 2039, weSA国际影视传媒檒l be to Grade 12 bilingual, at all grade levels.

NN: Do you think these measures are enough to turn the tide on Inuit languages?

DJ: I think this is where we need to challenge Nunavummiut, in general, and society, in general. The pursuit of education. Looking at our attendance rate. Looking at the historical context. This is an issue we need to continue to address, we want our children and students to want to go to school, to have that determination, that drive and motivation. I think this is where, as a department, as a government, we want to have that space and environment for them for the learning to occur.

The teaching profession, itSA国际影视传媒檚 one of the most challenging jobs that you can ever have. Students, essentially you build them to be able to think for themselves. When that occurs, when the teachers fulfil that, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 a great accomplishment.

I, as a leader, and the government, want to entice, motivate and tell Nunavummiut that education is boundless. If you look at it in a way that itSA国际影视传媒檚 a gift that keeps on giving or something that will help you for the rest of your life SA国际影视传媒� I think this is where people can take ownership of it, and follow their passions. Because we need doctors, we need plumbers, we need mechanics, we need teachers, we need nurses. We need so many things.

We need, in the minds of Nunavummiut, SA国际影视传媒淥K. ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to become this through education. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 where education is going to take me.SA国际影视传媒�