Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Contributes Funds to Support Student Learning

August 07, 2020

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is using the recent Mastercard Foundation donation of $130,000 to partner with Beaufort Delta Education Council (BDEC) to purchase portable electronic devices for students in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR).

Funds were secured from Mastercard Foundation’s COVID-19 Resiliency and Recovery Program and then cooperatively allocated by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) to meet the immediate needs of students across Inuit Nunangat at this time while also making progress towards longest-held goals of equal and meaningful educational attainment.

“Supporting the academic endeavours of students is one of the steps in meeting IRC’s strategic goals to increase access to graduation, ease Post Secondary entrance, improve access to careers and ultimately boost capacity from within the Region.” IRC Chair and CEO Duane Smith offers additional confidence as, “IRC has been encouraged by e-learning initiatives including Northern Distance Learning Program piloted in Ulukhaktok and now offered throughout the North, as well as the possibility to achieve high school diplomas through IRC’s SunChild E-Learning Program.  The success means we know Inuvialuit can benefit quickly from basic connection and with access to computers for their participation in academic programs…”

Knowing there is a strong need for youth to have computers to use in reaching progressive curriculum, have research information available to them and to make connections with role models, we know it is especially important to reach out and encourage each student with this improvement right in their homes and in their own communities.

IRC is pleased to demonstrate our support for BDEC’s and IRC’s goal of proper internet access and adequate electronic devices to provide a basis for academic study.

IRC would additionally like to give acknowledgement to this generous example of the shared work and partnership needed from all sectors, to include government and business, in meeting the needs of students so that all children can attain their educational goals and participate equally.  IRC thanks the Mastercard Foundation for its contribution.

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation continues to look for and pursue other opportunities and initiatives to support all Inuvialuit students with the tools to succeed in their education.

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