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RANKIN INLET - A group of 42 would-be principals and education staff members from across Nunavut gathered in Rankin Inlet to attend educational leadership training earlier this month.

This year marked the third summer the course was held in Rankin, which will be home to the program for at least three more years.

Co-ordinator Cathy McGregor of Iqaluit said the course is a Department of Education training program for principals, or those who would like to become one, and is a requirement under the Education Act.

"It's a two-week gathering with two different phases, which candidates have to take over two summer courses," said McGregor.

"There's also a practicum project which has to be undertaken following completion of the program.

"The candidates receive direction in instructional leadership, student assessment, staff supervision and Inuit Qaujiniajatuqangit among others."

Fellow co-ordinator Eryn Sinclair of Pangnirtung said the program also looks at the history and roots of education, as well as District Education Authority connections in community partnerships.

She said candidates are exposed to numerous themes relevant to effective educational leadership in Nunavut.

"Team building and co-operation are underlying themes that run throughout the program," said Sinclair.

"A lot of team building happens at the beginning of the program, then the candidates take over facilitation of the work and team-building efforts."

McGregor has been involved with the program, off and on, since it began in the NWT in 1982.

After division the program was delivered jointly by the NWT and Nunavut until 2003, when Nunavut began its own.

McGregor said the program receives excellent feedback from many of its participants.

"We have people who have done principal training in the south, and they tell us we do things in this program that are above and beyond what they've experienced before."

The candidates also held a two-day camp on the land, which included elders and other community members.

Sinclair said the camp is something the candidates may be able to do with their students, and it helps them to better understand the land in the way it's viewed by Inuit.

She said candidates tend to be quite enthusiastic about what they learn.

"People love the connections they make to other educators across Nunavut.

"And, they love the refreshing infusion of information and new skills that feed them as educators as they go into a new school year.

"Add in the bilingual education aspects and what they learn towards student, staff, principal and community well being and you have a pretty efficient program."