Nunavut Law Program receives $140,000 from Arctic Inspiration Prize!
The Nunavut Arctic College / University of Saskatchewan (USask) Nunavut Law Program was one of five finalists in the AIP category of the 2020 Arctic Inspiration Prize. Winners were announced at a Feb. 5 ceremony held as part of the Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase in Ottawa.
Martin Phillipson, dean of law (USask), was on hand to accept the award along with Stephen Mansell, Director of the Nunavut Law Program, and two current law students, Jessica Shabtai and Nuka Olsen-Hakongak.
“We are enormously privileged to be named a recipient. This award will significantly enrich our students’ educational experience and we are grateful to the organizers and funders of the Arctic Inspiration Prize,” said Phillipson. “Our success in receiving this award is a testament to the students’ hard work and dedication to their communities and their studies,” he added.
The Nunavut Law Program (NLP) aims to provide a Nunavut-based legal education to Nunavummiut. This project received $140,000 to provide graduates with professional learning opportunities and a strong foundation in Inuit traditional law through participation in a circumpolar exchange with the University of Lapland, participation in mooting, student support and bursaries, traditional law and cultural activities. Students of the NLP program graduate with a JD (juris doctor) degree, and will be equipped with the unique knowledge and skills needed to practice law in Nunavut. The program has the potential to significantly increase the number of lawyers in Nunavut.
Congratulations!
Team Members: Robin Anawak, Samantha Barnes, Robert Comeau, Guy D’Argencourt, Marley Dunkers, Angnakuluk Friesen, Heather Heavin, Colin Mackay, Stephen Mansell (Co-Team Leader), Sandra Omik, Aaju Peter (Co-Team Leader), Martin Phillipson, Doug Surtees, Lana Walker, Tracey Wray
Nominator: Lorraine Thomas, Vice-President, Imaituk Inc.
About the Arctic Inspiration Prize:
The Arctic Inspiration Prize recognizes and promotes the extraordinary contribution made by teams in the gathering of Arctic knowledge and their plans to implement this knowledge in real world applications for the benefit of the Canadian Arctic, Arctic Peoples and therefore Canada as a whole. For more information: https://www.arcticinspirationprize.ca
About the Nunavut Law Program:
The Nunavut Law Program—launched in September 2017—provides a Nunavut-based legal education to Nunavummiut. A partnership between the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Arctic College, and the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, the program will generate resident and Inuit graduates with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 2021.