Ottawa, Ontario – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Minister of Health, and Minister Responsible for the North, is pleased with the recent decision to increase funding to the Akitsiraq Law Program.
This augmentation in funding has been provided to the Akitsiraq Law School Society under the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program at the Department of Justice and will go towards the planning and preparation of the second phase of the unique program.
“I am pleased with this decision,” Aglukkaq said. “Akitsiraq II, like its predecessor, will provide an exceptional educational opportunity to the North. It is a valuable project that will be of tremendous benefit to all Nunavummiut for many years to come.”
The 4-year program offers students a thorough education in Canadian Common Law and includes the study of both the Inuktitut language and Inuit law. This program sets the groundwork for the enhancement of Inuit values in law across Nunavut as it brings together students who reflect the cultural connections of Nunavut and Inuit communities across the North.
“Phase one of the Akitsiraq Program recognized the territory’s need for qualified lawyers as well as the potential for Nunavummiut to rise to the occasion and satisfy that need, “Aglukkaq said. “I am confident that the second phase, through the strong partnership between the University of Ottawa and Nunavut Arctic College, will once again provide the necessary resources for that potential to be reached,” Aglukkaq concluded.
