Inuit law grads celebrate at Arctic convocation

by Patty Pitts

New Akitsiraq law graduate Sandra Omik. See related story "Future leaders of Nunavut"

There were tears, cheers and smiles as bright as the 24-hour northern sunshine when the first graduates of the Akitsiraq law program accepted their University of Victoria law degrees at a special convocation in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on June 21.

In a ceremony that combined Inuit and academic traditions, the 11 students were praised and congratulated by Canada's Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik, who were both in attendance.

Proud friends and family members of the graduates, who completed their studies based in Iqaluit, filled the Inuksuk High School gymnasium. Inuit drummers led the academic procession and the ceremony closed with the singing of O Canada in English and Inuktitut by Susan Iglukark, a sister of one of the graduates.

Left to right, Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik, UVic President David Turpin, and honorary degree recipients Beverley Browne and Lucien Ukaliannuk.

"Happy National Aboriginal Day," said Clarkson to the cheers and applause of the crowd. "This is a wonderful day for Canada. Today's convocation of the Akitsiraq law school completes a dramatic process—and perhaps an unprecedented one—in which the larger culture has moved to accommodate the needs and ways of a much smaller one. Southern people and institutions have made the adjustment to the northern reality."

Speaking mainly in Inuktitut, Okalik—currently the only Inuk lawyer in the territory—also referred to June 21 as "one special day" and spoke of his pride in seeing the Inuit students complete a program that seemed like an impossible dream just a decade ago.

Akitsiraq's elder-in-residence, Lucien Ukaliannuk, was presented with an honorary doctor of laws degree at the ceremony in recognition of his sustained efforts to preserve Inuit traditional knowledge, culture and language. He provided students with Inuktitut language education and counselled, mentored and advised them during the program.

Madam Justice Beverley Browne, senior judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice, also received an honorary law degree. As one of the grassroots organizers of the Akitsiraq law school program, she worked for 10 years to help make the Arctic law school a reality.

"We are gathered today to celebrate one of those extraordinary successes that, I think, could only happen in Canada," said UVic President Dr. David Turpin at the ceremony. "The triumph that we mark today—the graduation of 11 new leaders for Nunavut—shows that together we have managed to overcome geographic distance, cultural difference, and long economic odds."

The government of Nunavut, the federal Department of Justice, Inuit organizations and the RCMP provided core funding for the program. Additional funding from the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation and other donors provided financial support to students and curriculum enrichment through travel grants and other assistance, especially the elder-in-residence aspect of the program.

"The program was a completely different approach to teaching law but it made perfect sense for UVic because of the law faculty's commitment to indigenous education and its willingness to be innovative," says Jamie Cassels, UVic's vice president academic. "It's terrific to see the program come to such a successful conclusion."