Media Release: Qikiqtani Inuit Association distributes 105 laptops to students across Region
Iqaluit, Nunavut – September 1, 2020 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is distributing 105 Google Pixelbook Go 13.3 inch laptops to help eligible students whose education has been disrupted by COVID-19.
“We wanted to do our part to help Qikiqtani youth have better access to digital and online learning as so many educational resources are computer dependent today,” says QIA President, P.J. Akeeagok, “these partnerships allowed us a chance to put more laptops into the hands of Inuit students.”
“I’m going to use my laptop for school,” says Pond Inlet’s 14-year-old Grade 10 student Amanda Koonoo, “I was so excited when I knew I was getting one.”
The initial funds for 65 laptops came from the Mastercard Foundation and the Federal Government. The initiative was later expanded with a contribution of 40 additional laptops from Actua, Canada’s largest science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach organization.
Any Inuk student between the ages of 8 and 18 who has lived for at least one year in one of the 13 Qikiqtani communities was eligible for the program.
Breakdown of laptop distribution across Qikiqtani Region:
- ARCTIC BAY 10
- CLYDE RIVER 3
- GRISE FIORD 2
- IQALUIT 34
- IGLOOLIK 7
- KIMMIRUT 5
- KINNGAIT 5
- PANGNIRTUNG 10
- POND INLET 12
- QIKIQTARJUAQ 5
- RESOLUTE BAY 2
- SANIKILUAQ 4
- SANIRAJAK 6
For more information, please contact:
Sima Sahar Zerehi,
Director of Communications,
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
867.975.8413
1.800.667.2742
