Nunatukavut Approves Funding For Traditional Life Skills Program in Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NUNATUKAVUT APPROVES FUNDING FOR
TRADITIONAL LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, March 23, 2016 – The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) today announced that it has approved funding to re-introduce its Traditional Life Skills Program in schools in the NunatuKavut territory.

“Much of the teaching about Indigenous peoples has been from a purely colonialist perspective,” said Todd Russell, President of NCC. “We are working to change that, particularly for students growing up in NunatuKavut communities.”

The Traditional Life Skills Program was first launched in schools on the south coast of Labrador a number of years ago and specifically taught students about Southern Inuit culture and traditions. Students will again get hands-on experience in building komatiks, making snowshoes, learning crafts and surviving on the land through instruction by NunatuKavut cultural knowledge holders. NCC will be working closely with the education system, schools and communities to implement the program.

“It is very important that we continue to tell our own stories from our own perspective,” said President Russell. “It instills confidence and pride among our youth, Elders and all those in our communities.”

NCC is also putting in place a new department within its organization called Education, Research and Culture. A huge emphasis will be placed on working with educational institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that Southern Inuit culture and history is accurately reflected in the curriculum for all students to learn. This department will also coordinate and participate in research initiatives that impact its people and territory.

“All of these pieces are vital to our cultural preservation,” said President Russell. “And they are especially imperative when moving forward on participation in significant projects like the Mealy Mountain National Park Reserve.”

“We want to ensure that people outside of NunatuKavut can learn about our rich culture and heritage,” added President Russell.

For further information on NCC, please visit www.nunatukavut.ca. Please also join in the conversation at Facebook.com/nunatukavut and Twitter @nunatukavut.

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For further information, please contact: Kelly Nippard, Director of Communications, NCC, 709-280-5965