Nunavut Arctic College at the AFN Education Forum

Nunavut Arctic College was pleased to participate in the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Education Forum in Vancouver from February 24 to 26, 2026, supporting Nunavut Teacher Education Program (NTEP) students as they engaged with Indigenous education leaders from across Canada. 

Representing NTEP, Deanna Tupik, Wendy Klassen, and Evan Morrison attended the forum in support of 21 NTEP students who took part in sessions, discussions, and reflection activities throughout the event. 

“ It was encouraging to see our students not only attend the AFN Education Forum, but also think about how the discussions relate to Inuit education, language, and the kind of educators they want to become. One of the most valuable parts of the forum was seeing them reflect together and connect those conversations to their own experiences and future work in the classroom,” said Evan Morrison, Nunavut Teacher Education Manager.  

Forum highlights 

Across the forum, participants emphasized shared priorities for Indigenous education, including: 

  • Indigenous language revitalization as a foundation for identity, learning, and long-term community wellness. 

  • Culturally grounded curriculum that reflects community values, knowledge systems, and local priorities. 

  • Self-determined education systems led by Indigenous communities. 

 

 

What NTEP students gained 

The forum offered NTEP students the chance to engage with national policy discussions and hear directly from Indigenous education leaders. Students also reflected on Inuit representation within broader Indigenous education spaces, while building relationships with peers and partners from across Canada. 

Participation was supported through structured reflection, including a dedicated NTEP group session, a shared group chat, and coordinated attendance at selected sessions. 

 

Student reflections 

In debriefs and ongoing discussions, students highlighted: 

  • The importance of strengthening Inuit presence and perspectives in national education forums. 

  • The need for sustained supports beyond tuition, including mentorship, identity affirmation, and academic guidance. 

  • A careful approach to technology in education, noting that artificial intelligence can reinforce colonizing dynamics when rooted primarily in English language and worldview. 

Students returned with a renewed commitment to language and culture revitalization, underscoring the shared understanding that loss of language is loss of culture. 

Nunavut Arctic College thanks the forum organizers and all participants for creating space for learning, connection, and collaboration. 

 

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Media Contact:  

 

Kara Hoang 
Manager, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment 
Nunavut Arctic College 
867-979-7318 
kara.hoang@arcticcollege.ca 

NAC Communications