Tag Archives: indigenous health

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) – Traditional knowledge in the curriculum

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Image credit: Snow-Mountains-Clouds-Arctic by Freyer, CCO (Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/snow-mountains-clouds-arctic-965524/)

I am interested in reflecting on Inuit education through my lens of living and going to school in Canada’s arctic as a child, then returning as a teacher. The resources curated here focus on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuit traditional values and their integration into the curriculum in Nunavut.

  • Pijitsirarniq: Serving the community.
  • Aajiiqatigiingniq: Consensus-Decision Making.
  • Pilimmaksarniq: Skills and Knowledge Acquisition.
  • Qanuqtuurungnarniq: Being Resourceful to Solve Problems.
  • Piliriqatigiingniq: Concept of Collaborative Relationship or Working Together for a Common Purpose.
  • Avatimik Kamattiarniq: Environmental Stewardship.

1. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Education Framework

The government of Nunavut published this IQ Education Framework in order to define and frame how educators can integrate Inuit traditional principles throughout the curriculum. This document was developed with Elders, and understands the goal of Inuit education to develop wisdom (as differentiated from Western philosophy of self-actualization).

2. Nunavut Department of Education, Learning Resources

This site curates the curriculum guides from K-12. The curriculum, strands and programs of study are similar to other southern curriculums; however, within each grade there is a section that specifically points to learning resources created in Nunavut and incorporating traditional knowledge.

3. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Adventure Website

This site explores Inuit traditions through the six guiding principles and values of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit through Elder voices, recorded in Inuktitut (English text translations); includes an educators guide.

4. Teacher as Researcher – leap into the void with me [blog]

This is a blog, that I want to revisit. The author, Morgan Bentham, is also a Master’s student who is interested in indigenous ways of knowing.  She has tagged several thoughful posts on IQ, which also lead to further resources.

5. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health

This site focuses on the public health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. While not specifically focused on IQ, the site does provide a useful article that helps define the importance of IQ for the health and wellbeing of northern youth.