Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Pond Inlet (Sept 03/01) - Akoela Kautainuk feels envy when he talks with his Grade 1-2 students.

His first language is Inuktitut and he remembers spending time after school to learn English.

Today, Inuit students face friendlier learning environments. More Inuktitut-speaking teachers mean more excitement about coming to school.

"I'm not saying English is bad. But students seem to learn better when they're learning in their mother tongue," Kautainuk says.

Ulaajuk school, where Kautainuk teaches, is the first school in the Baffin with a full staff of Inuit teachers.

"There are times I wish I was a student in the class," he says.

Kautainuk and 12 other McGill University graduates made education history in May. The group is one of the largest number of Inuktitut-speaking teachers graduating from McGill University's four-year education program. The Inuit educators were all from Pond Inlet. All 13 graduates are teaching at either one of Pond Inlet's two schools.

"I'm extremely pleased to have such a large number of qualified staff," says Ulaajuk principal Rhoda Arreak.

Kautainuk's colleague and fellow McGill graduate Rhoda Atagootak feels a dream has come true. o

Atagootak was once a wide-eyed elementary school student in Pond Inlet. She now has her own class of students.

"I'm proud to be an Inuk teacher and a role model to younger students. I just love working with children," Atagootak says.

She commends the McGill program, offered in conjunction with Nunavut Arctic College. The program allowed her to become a qualified teacher without leaving her community.

"I'm happy I'm teaching here and never had to leave home. And I can teach here in my hometown," Atagootak says.

More than 20 Nunavummiut are registered in the four-year Bachelor of Education program this year. Six students are expected to graduate this year.