Nunavik news story in Alaska's largest daily newspaper

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Inuit children in Quebec learn better and have better self-esteem when taught longer in their Native language, a Canadian researcher says. Psychology professor Don Taylor of McGill University in Montreal has been studying children in the village of Kangiqsujuaq since its school made Inuttitut the language of instruction through Grade 3, reports
Nunatsiaq Online.


Kangiqsujuaq was the first community in the region to do this, and the Kativik School Board wanted to know what the impact was on students' learning and self-esteem, then, and as the school made the move to English- or French-language instruction in Grade 4.

"There's no question that having an extra year of Inuttitut improves their language skills," Taylor said. "It provides a more solid base."

When students transition into English or French studies in Grade 4, the first year is difficult, Taylor said. But by Grades 5 or 6, they've caught up, he said.

Read more, including comments
http://www.adn.com/2010/06/07/1311827/inuit-students-benefit-from-schooling.html

I would like to add a few personal comments because this is worldwide news. Some Alaskans (including Inukpiak) have a hard time believing kids in Nunavik can be educated in their Inuktitut mother tongue, take a few moments to register and let them know that Nunavimmiut are proud of their heritate and that this information is accurate. In the United States, the English language and media has sussesfully assimilated many native Americans, let them know that in Nunavik, Canada we are very proud of our inuit heritage and we will never lose our language and culture.