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PANNIQTUUQ/PANGNIRTUNG
If the children are the future, Lynn Kilabuk wants them to know about the past that made them who they are. That's why the Nunavut Teacher Education Program student has spent the past few years working on Ingiluusiit, a book of Inuit songs and games for the children she'll be teaching one day.

Seen here holding her daughter Ally, Lynn Kilabuk, 27, of Pangnirtung was recently named one of two Jose Amaujaq Kusugak scholarship recipients. The other recipient is Miali-Elise Coley of Iqaluit. - photo courtesy of Lynn Kilabuk

"I created a book that I can use with children," the 27-year-old Pangnirtung resident said, noting it includes "family backgrounds, history and how we can work together in a community."

The connection to the past came from the encouragement of her grandparents, with whom Kilabuk is very close. This link to Inuit language and education earned her, along with Miali-Elise Coley of Iqaluit, one of two Jose Amaujaq Kusugak Scholarship, worth $5,000 each.

"My grandma always shared stories about the past and she knew I was training to become a teacher," Kilabuk said. "Encouraging me to see what's out there and learn from elders and how I can use those (lessons) in a school setting."

Working as a summer student, she also compiled enough information for a book stemming from a storytelling workshop with five elders, who spoke with her while sewing a sealskin tent over eight weeks last summer.

"The stories they told making that tent and how they lived, how it was in the past, I wrote everything I could," she said. "It was an opportunity for me to get closer to elders and see what they have, what they can share. I've come a long way trying to understand my own culture and language. I'm really excited that when I'm done this training I can share some of that work with children in the community to get (across) the idea of what our ancestors went through before civilization. How they lived, where they lived."

Struggling to make ends meet as a student raising two children, she said the award was a surprise, and she will use the money to invest in a computer.

"I am pleased to award two future teachers with financial assistance as they strive to pass on their knowledge of Inuit language and culture to our children," Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Cathy Towtongie stated in a release announcing the winners. "Their efforts ensure Jose's legacy of the promotion and preservation of Inuit rights in all aspects of life carries on."

Kusugak was a leader for Inuit rights and dedicated his life to the enhancement of education in the North and preserving Inuit language. The award was developed last year.

"It's such an honour," Kilabuk said. "Jose was an exceptional man who represented Inuit in all different levels. Just being chosen for this award means a lot to me."

Now heading into her third year of teacher's college, she has yet to decide which level to teach. She is a member of the first cohort of teachers trained in Pangnirtung – the group started with 20 and now has eight – since the program restarted in 2009.

"I've been to different schools in different communities," she said. "I'm very proud when I go to the schools to do practicum or observation, the majority of them are using Inuktitut, written or orally. It's all written materials in Inuktitut up to Grade 6, so I hope this continues and I can't wait to finish this program."

Community members are eager for her and her colleagues to finish, too.

"The hunger I see in the community, they want to see Inuit trained teachers. The support I get is way beyond words."

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