New Inuvialuit history course to be taught

A new course on Inuvialuit history is being taught in local high schools throughout the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

The course was developed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Beaufort Delta Education Council. It is being introduced in a pilot project for students in grades 10 and 11.

"Where they came from, what accomplishments they have, what challenges they have faced throughout their history," said Bob Simpson, who works with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

Its called Tiemani, which means at that time in the Inuktitut dialect spoken in the region.

Its currently an optional credit, but Simpson says they want to change that. He said they're approaching the Department of Education to make the course mandatory.

Anna Pingo teaches the course in Inuvik.

"Were just on Module 1, which is focusing on the history of the Inuvialuit. We were really surprised to see their textbook because its much bigger than we expected, its got such nice pictures and a lot of stories in there," said Pingo.

PIngo says shes gotten high praise for the newclassroom materials.