Scholarships

QIA’s Post-Secondary Scholarships

Each year QIA awards over $200,000 in annual scholarships to Qikiqtani students pursuing post-secondary education. This includes 80 QIA scholarships at $2,500/year as well as the $5,000 John Amagoalik scholarship.

Feedback from students has shown the scholarships make a significant impact on helping Inuit access post-secondary education.

Criteria for the QIA and John Amagoalik scholarship:

• Qikiqtani Inuit enrolled with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI) under the Nunavut Agreement
• Have lived in the Qikiqtani Region for the last 12 months or more
• Enrolled in a post secondary education program

How to apply for the QIA Scholarship

The QIA scholarship is awarded on a first come first served basis. QIA typically issues a call for applicants at the end of each summer, and depending on the number of returning applicants, a second call in January. All applications must be submitted online.

How to apply for the John Amagoalik Scholarship

The John Amagoalik is a competitive scholarship. Each application will be reviewed by the Selection Committee and ranked out of 15 points based on the following criteria.

1. How well does the 500 word essay describe John Amagoalik’s accomplishments? ( /5)
2. How well does the applicant express their own commitment to their studies? How well does the applicant express their dedication to using their education for the advancement of Inuit? ( /5)
3. What is the overall quality of the application package that was submitted? ( /5)

Applicants must submit the following as part of their application:

• 500-word essay on how you feel your aspirations are influenced by John Amagoalik and the Nunavut Agreement
• Resume
• Most recent transcripts
• Two reference letters preferably from a teacher, professor or employer who has closely worked with you

To learn more or to access the application:

Applications for Scholarships

Email: scholarship@QIA.ca

Word of the Day

Bringing Awareness to Inuktitut Language and Inuit Art

The Word of the Day program was created to promote Inuktitut language and Inuit artwork through QIA’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media.

The Word of the Day program launched in February 2017. The program posts a daily Inuktitut word and/or phrase with translation and pronunciation information and pairs it with Inuit artwork. The Word of the Day program quickly gained popularity with some of the posts liked and shared hundreds of times. In winter 2019 the program was expanded to include audio clips of each word and phrase. This expansion was supported through Government of Nunavut Culture and Heritage funding.

Follow QIA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to learn a new Inuktitut word each day.

SPROUTS Day Camp

Building Inuit Youth Leadership, Teamwork and Life Skills

QIA is proud to fund the SPROUTS Summer Day Camp Program. This program provides care, fun and education for children aged 5-9, special helpers (ages 10-12) and staff (ages 13-18). SPROUTS runs annually in Iqaluit for four to six weeks during July and August.

The core purpose of this program is for Inuit youth to learn leadership skills, teamwork and program design and delivery. Using traditional Inuit practices to engage in the learning of science and arts, children and youth participate in a variety of activities, including:

• arts and crafts
• sports and group games
• science activities
• on-the-land activities – clam digging, fishing, and other outings
• cooking and chores to teach responsibility

SPROUTS was first initiated in 1996 and has become an annual program in Iqaluit. It allows up to 50 children and youth to participate and learn traditional summer activities each year. QIA works with communities to run similar programs in the Qikiqtani communities.

QIA thanks Actua for providing the science programming portion of our SPROUTS day camp.

For information on how to apply, please contact the Qikiqtani Inuit Association:
Phone: 867•975•8400
Toll-free: 1•800•667•2742
Fax: 867•979•3238
e-mail: info@qia.ca

Pigiarutittiavait Program

Creating Inuktitut Language Books

QIA has worked with Inhabit Media for nearly a decade on our Pigiarutittiavait program which creates Inuktitut language children’s books. They have supported our vision and helped us turn our ideas into concrete outputs.

The books published under this program are sent to schools and daycares in the Qikiqtani Region. They are also available for free download on the Nunavut Bilingual Education Society website.

Pigiarutittiavait Program Books

• Uumajut – Learn About Arctic Wildlife, Simon Awa, Anna Ziegler and Stephanie McDonald
• Uumajut – Learn About Arctic Wildlife 2, Simon Awa, Seeglook Akkeeagok, Anna Ziegler, and Stephanie McDonald
• A Walk on the Tundra, Rebecca Hainnu and Anna Ziegler
• The Qalupalik, Elisha Kilabuk
• Under the Ice, Rachel A. Qitsualik
• Inuksiutiit/Inuit Tools, Inhabit Media
• Miqqullit Tariurmiutat/Marine Mammals, Inhabit Media
• Grandmother Ptarmigan, Qaunaq Mikkigak and Joanne Schwartz
• Ukaliq Puppies, Inhabit Media
• Sweetest Kulu, Celina Kalluk
• Uqariuqsautiit, Nadia Mike
• Fishing with Grandma, Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula
• Lessons for the Wolf, Rachel and Sean Qitsaualik-Tinsley
• Ukiuqtaqtumi Tingmiat, Inhabit Media, Inuktitut only
• Ukaliq and Kalla Go Fishing, Nadia Mike
• Action Words (Moving Around), Inhabit Media, Inuktitut only
• Eliaspee and Her Baby Seagull, Nancy Mike
• How we Hunt a Bowhead, Joanasie Karpik, Inuktitut only
• Putuguq & Kublu and the Qalupalik, Roselynn Akulukjuk & Danny Christopher
• My Emotions, Inhabit Media, Inuktitut only
• The Fox Wife, Beatrice Deer