Students, under the guidance of Noah Annahatak, show their excitement embarking on their first trip to a different part of Nunavik.

A field trip to Pingualuit National Park not only strengthened students’ relationship with their native land but also sparked hope of keeping them in school.

In early March, nine elementary school students from Jaanimmarik School in Kuujjuaq, QC had the opportunity to visit the park to learn about Inuit culture revitalization. The field trip is a form of place-based learning, allowing students to engage with one another and with the community they live in.

This activity is an example of inuguiniq – a type of education that “seeks to develop the human being as a whole, through direct engagement with the environment and the community,” according to Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the Nunavik school board.

Students were hands on in preparation for the trip, from fundraising to meal and financial planning, working together toward a shared goal. At the park, the students enjoyed many physically active activities like hiking, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing. Since returning, many have expressed interest in learning more land survival skills, pursuing extended education or giving back to the community by becoming guides for Nunavik Parks after graduation.

“The trip encouraged my students to bond and form healthy relationships between one another,” noted Jaanimmarik School teacher Stacy Allen. “More than ever, the students see themselves as a collective team. The learning climate of our classroom was positively impacted by the relationships built during our trip. Many are looking forward to their next out-of-school adventure as well.”

This trip was made possible in part thanks to the financial support from Northern Kuujjuaq.