Welcome to Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS)

NS is more than a place of learning—it’s a home where Inuit youth deepen their connection to culture, language, and history while preparing to shape the future of their communities.
Every year, we are inspired by the energy, resilience, and creativity of our students. They bring their own unique stories, aspirations, and talents, creating a learning environment where everyone grows—students, staff, and the broader NS community alike.
At NS, we aim to provide an environment that supports students as they explore their identities and build the skills to become future leaders in their communities. Whether through learning Inuktitut, studying Inuit governance, or participating in cultural and artistic expression, our students embody the spirit of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: collaboration, respect, and innovation.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to fostering a strong sense of empowerment and belonging among our students. Together, we continue to honor the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future of Inuit Nunangat.
Thank you for your continued support of Nunavut Sivuniksavut. Your encouragement ensures that we can keep building a brighter future for Inuit youth and their communities.
Aksualuk qujalivunga,
Martha Kyak
Executive Director
Our core principles and values
Over the years, NS has developed a way of operating that is firmly grounded in a core set of principles and values. Woven throughout our programs and operations, they have guided the transformative educational experience for our learners. They are interdependent and help establish a clear framework for the programming, organizational procedures, and overall governance. While the core principles and values are a part of what makes NS unique, they are grounded in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and connect us to broader, collective aims of realizing strong and healthy Inuit communities.
Inunnguiniq – Creating a capable human being
Inunnguiniq means ‘creating a capable human being’ and refers to the process of socialization and education specific to Inuit culture and extends into a lifelong practice. Inunnguiniq is a shared responsibility, and NS takes part in nurturing, protecting, observing, and equipping Inuit students to be capable human beings.
Tunngaviliuttiarniq – Building a solid foundation
Through decades of practice, we have established a strong foundation through our commitment to Inuit-focused and learner-centered education. At every turn, we strive to integrate, respect, and celebrate Inuit culture, values, knowledge, and historical experiences in all our programming materials. With this solid footing, we are able to learn, adapt, and innovate to ensure that our programming engages learners and prepares them for future opportunities.
Inuuqatigiittiarniq – Fostering respectful and harmonious relationships
Caring relationships extend beyond teaching to include relationships between all learners, staff, administration, and the community within which NS operates. Staff create meaningful interpersonal relationships with learners through an understanding of their personal stories, strengths, and aspirations. Additionally, fostering respectful and harmonious relationships involves an ongoing consideration of potential power differences and decision-making processes within NS. Whenever possible, decisions at NS reflect a horizontal (holistic?) and consensus-based process where all members, including learners, feel that their voice matters.
Ikpigusuttiarniq – Being responsive to needs
Being enrolled in NS opens up a new world of opportunities and experiences for Inuit. It also means that students are challenged with a range of emotional, social, geographical, academic, and overall lifestyle changes. To overcome challenges, both staff and learners are provided with the flexibility to adapt and modify teaching and learning approaches based on identified needs. We continuously evaluate and adjust our programs and processes to reflect learner and staff feedback. In addition to practicing accessibility and inclusivity in programming, we provide and coordinate access to a full range of support services to ensure learners’ spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
Piliriqatigiittiarniq – Working well together
Our environment and programming fosters collaboration, flexibility, and innovation, which are central values and practices for Inuit lifeways and lead to working well together as a community. The NS facility is a welcoming space that brings learners, staff, and the wider Inuit community in Ottawa together to learn, envision, and create. We hold space for this dynamic and collaborative idea of learning where everyone’s knowledge and experience are valued, and learning is always in process through daily activities and interactions.
Avatimik Kamattiarniq – Caring for our surroundings
At NS, we emphasize the importance of respecting and caring
for our environment. Inuit culture recognizes the interdependent relationship between humans and the natural world. Our responsibility to our surroundings is practiced daily through shared responsibility to care for our facility and residences.
Meet the team

Executive Director
martha@nsstaff.ca

Finance Officer
Charlotte@nsstaff.ca

Property Manager and Student Registrar
Paul@nsstaff.ca

Academic Coordinator & Senior Instructor
Dan@nsstaff.ca

Academic Coordinator & Senior Instructor
Samantha@nsstaff.ca

2nd Year Coordinator & Instructor
Nicole@nsstaff.ca

Instructor
Jukeepa@nsstaff.ca

Instructor
Eleanor@nsstaff.ca

Instructor
Augatnaaq@nsstaff.ca

Part-time Inuktitut Instructor

Counsellor & Instructor
Robyn@nsstaff.ca

Part-time Student Support and Instructor
Kim@nsstaff.ca

Residence Advisor
Olibuk@nsstaff.ca
I feel more proud to be Inuk since I came to NS, I've learned more about Inuit than I did in most of my life.
About Our Partners
Nunavut Sivuniksavut is built on a strong foundation of collaboration between Inuit organizations and government. Our valued partners include:
- Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
- Kakivak Association
- Kivalliq Partners in Development
- Kitikmeot Inuit Association
- Government of Nunavut