Rankin Inlet (Jun 21/06) - There will be a family reunion at Maani Ulujuk Illinniarvik beginning this fall.

Having graduated from the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP), husband and wife Pujjuut and Adriana Kusugak are joining the faculty at the Rankin Inlet secondary school. That means they will be on staff with Donald and Simone Clark, Adriana's parents.

Husband and wife Pujjuut and Adriana Kusugak graduated from the Nunavut Teacher Education Program together on June 9 in Iqaluit. They will be guiding students at Maani Ulujuk Illinniarvik in Rankin Inlet as of August. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

"We know we've got two of the best mentors out there," said Adriana, who was raised in Rankin Inlet.

Not only did the young couple complete the program, they thrived. Adriana won several awards, including ones for leadership, highest average and best all-around student. But the recognition didn't come without sacrifice. "I don't think I ever took a night off," she said of her study habits.

Pujjuut was named class valedictorian.

While addressing his peers at a graduation ceremony in Iqaluit on June 9, he reflected on some of the challenges encountered during four years of courses. There were times when he just felt like giving up, he admitted. Particularly difficult was when his grandmother became ill."Iqaluit just seemed so far away from Rankin," he said of his acute homesickness.

Fortunately, he and Adriana had each other then, and through the entire academic program. They were engaged when they started NTEP, and together they have been raising their son, Qaritaq.

"It brought us closer together," Pujjuut, whose parents are Jose and Nellie Kusugak, said of their shared experience.

"We were always encouraging and supporting each other to be the best that we could be," Adriana added.

They agreed their classmates, a close-knit group, were another source of strength.

Pujjuut also spoke of the importance of preserving and enhancing Inuit cultural identity. Yet he cautioned his peers from putting too much pressure on themselves, especially early in their careers.

"We are going to make mistakes. Our elders tell us all the time to have patience, and we are going to learn over time," Kusugak said.

"I have no doubt that we will all do a great job as teachers. I am confident in you all."