Ilitaqsiniq is launching a new career development program in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, to help local youth find work throughout 2026. The initiative aims to help young people bridge the gap between school and the workforce by teaching them how to identify their interests and build the skills needed for local jobs.
The program uses a learning model that combines job training with Inuit traditional knowledge, also known as Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. This method includes the use of the Inuktut language and creates safe spaces where participants can learn from Elders who serve as mentors.
Participants will focus on learning essential literacy and employment skills through activities that are culturally relevant to life in the North. According to the National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education, the organization has a long history of integrating traditional culture into its community teaching.
The organization recently moved into a new office location in the community to better serve residents. This new space will act as a hub for the career program and other projects for people living in the region.
