Forty-three principals, assistant-principals and teachers sacrificed a portion of their summer to build on their leadership qualities.

The educators gathered in Iqaluit for two weeks in July for the Certificate in Educational Leadership in Nunavut (CELN) program. They were immersed in various courses aimed at improving communication and relationships, language and literacy, collaborating with the community and more.

Newcomers to Nunavut learned about traditional Inuit leadership, culture and the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 educational history, said Darlene Nuqingaq, a retired teacher and principal. She was co-instructor for two of the courses, one on transformational leadership and another on engaging Nunavut elders and community. In addition to hearing from experienced Nunavut teachers like Elisapee Karetak and Leeveena Nuyalia, the educators spent an afternoon at the Elders Qammaq, listening to eldersSA国际影视传媒� stories and gaining perspective on NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 history.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne woman said in the spring, around March SA国际影视传媒� it was still cold, still dark SA国际影视传媒� you would have to travel by dog team to wherever your spring/summer camp was going to be and youSA国际影视传媒檙e about to give birth to a baby. You just have to stop on the trail and build an iglu quickly and give birth to that little baby and then the next day youSA国际影视传媒檙e on the trail again,SA国际影视传媒� said Nuqingaq. SA国际影视传媒淎n older woman said she can remember times when the rocks and the land became her friends because it was just her and her husband and her children. They didnSA国际影视传媒檛 see other people regularlySA国际影视传媒� I think it gives (young educators) insight.SA国际影视传媒�

One of the guest speakers during the courses SA国际影视传媒� Olivia Chislett SA国际影视传媒� urged educators to look beyond the behaviours of children because even a well-behaved child might be disguising inner pain, said Nuqingaq, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 been instructing leadership courses for close to two decades.

Catherine Eleheetook, a teacher in Gjoa Haven, said she found ChislettSA国际影视传媒檚 presentation to be very powerful. Chislett recounted how she overcame her academic struggles and organized youth gatherings to empower them and to teach them throatsinging.

Eleheetook, who has taught for four years, said she would like to incorporate more cultural activities, literacy programs in her school and make greater use of the Inuit language.

Teacher Bridgette Aulatjut of Arviat, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 entering her third year in the profession, said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 striving to encourage others to cooperate to accomplish more.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne of my goals is to focus on working with others to learn and gain more knowledge from each other and how to teach better,SA国际影视传媒� Aulatjut said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e leaders even outside the school. We have to be role models to the community, too.SA国际影视传媒�

Eleheetook and Aulatjut both had reservations about leaving their families behind to travel to Iqaluit, but they quickly came to appreciate the opportunity they were given.

SA国际影视传媒淏efore I came here I regretted coming here because my family were going out on the land. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 an every year thing for our family,SA国际影视传媒� said Eleheetook. SA国际影视传媒淎fter taking these courses, I have no more regrets.SA国际影视传媒�

Nuqingaq praised the teachers for voluntarily giving up part of their summer to strengthen their knowledge base.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had really rich, deep conversations, and transformation, I could see it in their journals,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey want to be the best possible teacher they can be for their students.SA国际影视传媒�