KANGIQTUGAAPIK/CLYDE RIVER - Construction of the highly anticipated Piqqusilirivvik cultural learning facility is expected to be finished in January with doors opening for classes in September 2011.

Construction of the Piqqusilirivvik cultural learning facility in Clyde River has been underway for more than a year now. The building is scheduled to be ready in January with students expected to start in September 2011. This picture of the front entrance of the building was taken on Oct. 26. - photo courtesy of Hugh Lloyd

"This is what the people have been waiting for for quite a long time and they are getting excited that this is going to happen," said Johnathan Palluq, who was named the Clyde River facility's director in April.

The idea of the facility has been in the works since 2004. Construction of the 2,200-square-metre-building began in September 2009.

Once completed, Piqqusilirivvik, Inuktitut for "a way of life," will be home to 26 students. They will learn about Inuit knowledge and culture and reside at the facility. The Government of Nunavut's Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. are working jointly on the project.

"We are helping create a learning institution unlike any other in Canada, using a truly ground-breaking philosophy of education," said Natan Obed, director, social and cultural development with NTI.

The $22 million facility will be one level with two residential wings with an area in the middle for learning activities, said Hugh Lloyd, project co-ordinator with Piqqusilirivvik at CLEY.

Built to look out over the bay toward the mountains, the building is fully-enclosed and Obed said finishing work is being done, including the painting of walls and the installation of fixtures and wiring.

"The learning environment is very specific to the type of school we are hoping to create," he said.

The building will feature a wood shop, a room with the necessary climate controls for the cleaning and preparation of skins as well as a large audio video room.

In mid-October, those involved with the project, including Simon Awa, deputy minister of CLEY and Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Okalik Eegeesiak, visited the community to see the progress and meet with hamlet staff and other community members.

Palluq, originally from Clyde River, has been working on policies and procedures, program development and preparing manuals for the staff that will be hired.

There will be 12 staff working at the facility in Clyde, along with one each in Iglulik and Baker Lake where programming will also be offered. Palluq said applications have gone out within the last several weeks for six managerial positions. The remaining positions will be put out after April 1.

The instructors at this learning facility will not have to have degrees or diplomas but lots of life experience.

"The instructors for this program have to have the traditional knowledge and skills not from university or college but direct experience from the Inuit living off the land," said Palluq.

Lloyd added they will have to be excited about "teaching and transferring this knowledge to other Inuit."

Once the facility is in operation, Obed said it is hoped the school will be run by a board of governors with, as he puts it, "A vision to oversee the overall academic environment within the school," similar to a way a board of governors would operate at a southern-based university.

The plan is to have one student come from each of the 26 communities for the facility's first intake of students, Lloyd said. Applicants have to be at least 18 years old and there is no maximum age. He said this is similar to traditional schools run in Greenland and Denmark.

The application process for students is under development.

"Just getting in is not going to be that easy, as students will have to demonstrate their interest, ability to learn and work with other students in a very collaborative Inuit-valued environment," he said.

What is also being worked on is the duration of the terms. Keeping in mind the fact Inuit learning will reflect the weather and land conditions, Lloyd said, initially, the first students will probably stay at the facility for three or four months.

Costs for students to attend the facility will be covered, including transportation, travel and accommodation.

As construction of the facility continues, excitement, across the territory, mounts for it to be completed.

"This is indirect response to those who say again and again they need to see Nunavut become more Nunavut-specific," said Obed.

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