David Powell
Updated on: October 9, 2024 8:38 am GMT
The Nunavut Court of Appeals has dismissed the Government of Nunavut’s appeal against a lawsuit filed by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) that seeks to ensure the right to Inuktut language instruction in the territory’s school system. This lawsuit, initiated in October 2021, cites discrimination under section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, arguing that the lack of Inuktut education compared to English and French erodes the use and knowledge of the language and negatively impacts educational outcomes for Inuit students.
NTI is advocating for a five-year plan to implement Inuktut education from kindergarten to Grade 12, which includes recruiting and training Inuktut educators, developing a curriculum, and increasing Inuit involvement in education governance. The Government of Nunavut, in its appeal, contended that section 15 pertains only to English or French instruction and that the legislative assembly has exclusive authority over education.
Judges Ritu Khullar, Jo’Anne Strekaf, and Kevin Feth said that the law isn’t as clear as the GN thinks, so the case should go to trial. NTI is hopeful about this decision because it shows how important it is to hear Inuit voices in education.
