CLYDE RIVER - In the realm of formal learning, one's credentials can carry a great deal of sway.

That is what Clyde River's Jukeepa Hainnu had in mind when she decided to attain her master of education through the University of Prince Edward Island.

Masters of education graduate Jukeepa Hainnu, right, of Clyde River, poses alongside Fiona Walton, an associate professor in the faculty of education at the University of Prince Edward Island. - photo courtesy of Fiona Walton

"You're always questioned, 'What degree do you have?'" she said. "Our accreditation as Inuit people is always in question because we don't have much of a background in researching and (being) educated in aspects of education issues as a professional...I wanted to further my education because I wanted to make a point that we can stand and voice our concerns on educational issues."

Hainnu officially graduated on May 12. In addition to her degree, she was the recipient of the $1,000 J. Elmer Hynes Award for Aboriginal Achievement, which is based on commitment to academics.

Fiona Walton, an associate professor in the education program at UPEI, was one of Hainnu's mentors over the past school year. Walton said Hainnu was completely dedicated to her studies, working through Christmas to finish her papers.

"Jukeepa was a confident, wise contributor to class discussions," Walton wrote in an e-mail to Nunavut News/North. "Her perspectives enabled classmates to understand education and life in Nunavut from the experiences she frequently shared...her insights were always relevant, adding to understandings of the complex challenges facing all educators in schools.

"She stressed the importance of involving elders in teaching and learning so that young people could be guided by their advice and role modelling."

Hainnu said her foundations are rooted in Inuit beliefs and values, and those things come from elders. Therefore entering an institution that presented different theories and concepts on education was mentally challenging at times, she admitted.

While she kept an open mind to the new philosophies, for too long the Inuit culture has been belittled in our society, she said.

"When we were growing up in the school system we were almost told, 'Don't listen to your parents. They have no idea what's going on in the world today, that type of thing," she said. "We grew up seeing our parents smaller than the educational system...but I think, looking back, we were very wrong because today's society is so mixed up and our young people are living in a society that is so troubled. If we had stayed with our elders and their wisdom and knowledge, I think we wouldn't be in this situation today."

To enhance students' Inuit cultural learning these days, Hainnu said Quluaq school offers hands-on experiences like hunting and then builds reading and writing assignments around them.

"To me that's real learning, real application to our society," she said, offering praise for the Inuuqatigiit Inuit knowledge curriculum that has been in place over the past five years.

Hainnu will be the sole principal of Quluaq school in Clyde River this fall. Prior to earning her masters degree she was co-principal. An educator with close to 25 years of experience, she had previously went back to school in the mid-1990s to earn her bachelor of education degree through the Teacher Education Program.

She isn't ruling out the pursuit of her PhD in the future.

"I love learning and I believe that even as we age we still learn a lot," she said. "The more you learn, the more you understand, the more capable you become."