New Inuvialuit history course to be taught
High school students in the Beaufort Delta to learn accomplishments, challenges of region
A new course on Inuvialuit history is being taught in local high schools throughout the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
The course was developed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Beaufort Delta Education Council. It is being introduced in a pilot project for students in grades 10 and 11.
"Where they came from, what accomplishments they have, what challenges they have faced throughout their history," said Bob Simpson, who works with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
It’s called ‘Tiemani’, which means ‘at that time’ in the Inuktitut dialect spoken in the region.
It’s currently an optional credit, but Simpson says they want to change that. He said they're approaching the Department of Education to make the course mandatory.
Anna Pingo teaches the course in Inuvik.
"We’re just on Module 1, which is focusing on the history of the Inuvialuit. We were really surprised to see their textbook because it’s much bigger than we expected, it’s got such nice pictures and a lot of stories in there," said Pingo.
PIngo says she’s gotten high praise for the new classroom materials.