From Promise to Practice: Inuit Voices on Bilingual Education
A 2025 CNDEA Report on the State of Language of Instruction in Nunavut Schools
Overview
In 2023–2024, the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (CNDEA) visited 24 communities and held over 120 focus groups to hear from Inuit educators, parents, students, Elders, and DEA members about bilingual education in Nunavut.
What we heard was clear: the models are there—but implementation is not.
This report shares what is working, what needs improvement, and how we can finally ensure that bilingual education becomes a reality in every school and every region.
It presents the findings and insights gathered through extensive community consultations held across Nunavut between 2023 and 2024. It reflects the voices of parents, educators, students, Elders, and District Education Authorities, and offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of bilingual education and the implementation of the Language of Instruction Regulations in Nunavut schools.
We hope this report contributes meaningfully to the ongoing dialogue around bilingual education and informs collaborative efforts across the territory. Our aim is to amplify community voices and highlight key priorities and recommendations that emerged from the consultations
Key Takeaways
- The Qulliq, Immersion, and Dual models have never been fully implemented.
- Students are falling behind when the shift from Inuktitut to English is too abrupt.
- Dialectal diversity must be respected and reflected in classroom materials.
- Inuit teachers need more mentorship, training, and classroom support.
- Community, family, and Elder involvement is essential to student success.
Read the Reports
Please note that this report is currently being translated into Inuktitut and French. All language versions will be made available on our website once finalized.
[Full Report (PDF)] – English
[Summary Version (PDF)] – English
Media contact: Maya Jelali, Director, Research, Policy & Evaluation – maya@cndea.ca