RANKIN INLET - The first graduates of the College Foundations program held their graduation ceremony at Arctic College in Rankin Inlet on June 25.

Lori Anne Tulugak, Jimmy Naulalik, Susie Wiebe, Pamela Pinchaud, Denise Malliki and Bobby Hicks all completed the eight-month program.

"I think on the first day some of you didn't know what to expect, but you've all grown and learned so much; your maturity, a lot of you are parents, its all shown up in the wonderful performance that you've done in this course," co-ordinator Geraldine Pflueger said during the ceremony. "You're all crossing the finish line."

Pflueger is the co-ordinator of community programs for Arctic College's Kivalliq region. She said this is the first year of the College Foundations program, which is based on what used to be two entry level programs for the nursing program and the Nunavut Teachers Education Program.

"We really looked at these programs and there were so many similarities that we decided to offer the course as a more general college foundations course with some electives," she said.

The program is primarily funded by the Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services and is intended to prepare students for other college programs they are planning to enter. She said the course can be used for any program, but one of the goals is to attract prospective health and nursing students.

Students are able to specialize some of their courses in the second semester, such as taking human biology courses to prepare for the college's midwifery or nursing programs, Pflueger said.

"There is some ability for students to fine-tune parts of the program to fit their goals and ambitions," she said.

Pflueger said the foundations program gives students the chance to take courses they may not have taken in high school or to improve their skills.

"If I went back to take a program, there are certain things I would need to refresh. How long do you remember algebra or calculus?" she said. "When they graduated from Grade 12 they may not have had a clear idea about what they wanted to do and when they look back they say, 'Well, I should have taken biology'. This is an opportunity for them to freshen up on some areas they need to work on."

Instructor Greta Payne said the program began in November with eight students, six of which graduated.

"It started in September in Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay, but we didn't have any students that wanted to start at the time so it was a later start," she said.

Graduate Jimmy Naulalik said some courses in the program were difficult, but others were fairly basic.

"Inuktitut was kind of hard, but we had good teachers so I made it through," he said.

Naulalik said he plans to take NTEP in Iqaluit in the fall and said he would like to be an "Inuktitut or social studies teacher."

Denise Malliki moved to Rankin from Repulse Bay to take the program. She said she enjoyed the coursework, particularly "having to go through all the work and learning more about writing and all of the Nunavut politics."

She said she isn't sure yet about what her next step will be.

"I came here for the course and am planning to go back home and figure out what I want to do," she said. "I didn't plan yet at all, there are too many options."

Pamela Pinchaud said her favourite part of the experience was getting to know students from other communities.

"I liked meeting new people, there were a couple of students from out of town," she said.

She said she wants to obtain her bachelor of commerce or bachelor of arts and has applied to schools such as the University of Northern British Columbia and McGill University.

During the ceremony, Payne told the graduates she wished them well in their future careers.

"It was a learning experience for all of us and I wish you the best in whatever career you decide to take," Payne said.

Pflueger said the students' achievement was based on the support of their families.

"When I look around this room I know every one of you played apart in this," she said. "People that have come away from home, I know your families are cheering you on from home."

She said the college will be offering the course again next year.