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TALOYOAK/SPENCE BAY - There's no place like home for 25-year old Joline Uttaq.

While born in Yellowknife, the young mother or two has spent her whole life in Taloyoak - a community that has a special place in her heart.

25-year old Joline Uttaq has developed a greater sense of confidence through the college and opportunities to be with her elders. - photo courtesy of Donnie Hunt

"I'm happy about Taloyoakmiut," she said. "When the going gets tough, there's a lot of people around willing to help. I love it here. I'm really proud of Taloyoak."

The feeling is mutual.

"Here at school, she's a great role model," said Donnie Hunt, instructor at Nunavut Arctic College. "She's a great student. She's willing and eager to learn. She enjoys working with the elders. She's often the first to volunteer to help out with different things."

A student at Nunavut Arctic College, Uttaq has found joy in learning and a new self-confidence. She's modest, but it's obvious that she is excelling in her studies.

"I just like to come here every day and just learn something new every day," said Uttaq. "It makes me feel better about myself."

Through the Adult Basic Education program, Uttaq and five other students in Taloyoak have been upgrading their math, English and science skills as well as developing a personal portfolio.

Uttaq has also been working on her Inuktitut, which helps her to better communicate with her mother and father-in-law, and local elders.

"I can't really read and write still, but my speaking is improving," she said. "I actually grew up being talked to in Inuktitut and I would speak in English, but I had to learn because my husband's parents are older and it was hard to speak to them."

Her speaking skills were put to the test recently when the students hosted the elders for a lunchtime feast of soup and stew, bannock and sweets. After lunch, the elders were encouraged to share their stories of life on the land and Uttaq was asked to translate.

"Having the elders over, my teacher uses me to translate," she said. "There too, it's improving me. It's kind of hard. At times I want to give up, but it's making me improve. My elders can understand me more."

The school has been working to bring the elders and students together more often, organizing visits and opportunities for the older generation to impart their wisdom and experience.

"I think they like it a lot," said Uttaq. "When they come over, they say they like coming over when we ask them to come. It makes me happy too to see them come around and share their stories."

When they visit, "it kind of goes crazy!" she added, laughing. "Some start to talk about when they were young, all the mythical stories we used to hear. Just to hear them talk around (is fun)."