About us

Welcome to Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS)

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NS students

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

Mission Statement 

Empowering Inuit with knowledge of our history and the world today while inspiring them for the future.

Vision

To be a global leader in Inuit-centered and driven learning.

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.

Board of Directors

Governance at Nunavut Sivuniksavut

Nunavut Sivuniksavut College is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors that represents students, faculty, support staff, and administration. Incorporated in 1999, NS began with a founding Board of eight members chosen for their commitment to education and their passion for the NS mission.

The Board's mandate is to oversee the affairs of the college by:

  • Setting overall goals, objectives, and strategic direction.
  • Providing oversight and stewardship to ensure NS operates effectively and fulfills its mission.

This governance framework ensures that Nunavut Sivuniksavut continues to thrive as a center for learning, culture, and community.

Board members 2024/25

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Tina DeCouto - Vice Chair
Tina DeCouto
Acting Chair
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Cecile Lyall - Secretary Treasurer
Cecile Lyall
Secretary Treasurer
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David Aglukark - Board Member
David Aglukark
Board Member
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Jason Akeagok - Board Member
Jason Akeagok
Board Member
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Annie Aningmiuq
Annie Aningmiuq
Board Member
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Shelton Nipisar
Shelton Nipisar
Board Member

Meet the team

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Martha Kyak
Martha Kyak
Executive Director
martha@nsstaff.ca
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Blank profile
Charlotte Lee
Finance Officer
Charlotte@nsstaff.ca
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Paul Cipriano
Paul Cipriano
Property Manager and Student Registrar
Paul@nsstaff.ca
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Dan Guay
Dan Guay
Academic Coordinator & Senior Instructor
Dan@nsstaff.ca
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Samantha Mitchell
Samantha Mitchell
Academic Coordinator & Senior Instructor
Samantha@nsstaff.ca
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Nicole Hachey
Nicole Hachey
2nd Year Coordinator & Instructor
Nicole@nsstaff.ca
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Jukeepa Hainnu
Jukeepa Hainnu
Instructor
Jukeepa@nsstaff.ca
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Ellen Cipriano
Ellen Cipriano
Instructor
Eleanor@nsstaff.ca
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Augatnaaq Eccles
Augatnaaq Eccles
Instructor
Augatnaaq@nsstaff.ca
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Meeka Kakudluk
Meeka Kakudluk
Part-time Inuktitut Instructor

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Robyn Mo-Lian
Robyn Mo-Lian
Counsellor & Instructor
Robyn@nsstaff.ca
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Kim Hedges
Kim Hedges
Part-time Student Support and Instructor
Kim@nsstaff.ca
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Mary Olibuk Tatty
Mary Olibuk Tatty
Residence Advisor
Olibuk@nsstaff.ca

 

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youth with Nunavut flag

Fast Facts About Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS)

  • Founded: 1985 by the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut
  • Incorporated: 1999 as a not-for-profit charitable organization
  • Current Intake: 50 first-year students, 25 second-year students
  • Completion Rate: Approximately 75-85%
  • Alumni Success:
    • Over 80% of graduates are employed full-time or pursuing further studies
    • Only 4% of graduates are unemployed and actively seeking work
    • 72% of graduates have continued on to post-secondary education in a variety of fields

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