In December, 13 students from Nunavut Arctic College’s (NAC) Environmental Technology Program (ETP) visited Carleton as part of a growing collaboration aimed at encouraging Inuit participation in postsecondary education and environmental science careers.
The exchange, organized by Carleton’s Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement (CISCE) and NAC, is an annual initiative that fosters academic connections between the institutions.
“This program is an integral part of supporting Inuit in pursuing postsecondary education that will ultimately strengthen Nunavut sovereignty,” said Benny Michaud, Director of the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement. “By providing pathways for Inuit to join bachelor programs designed to support future work in northern environmental conservation, Carleton is practicing allyship by helping to champion Inuit self-government.”
Welcomed in Inuktitut by Franco Buscemi, Inuit Community Liaison Officer, CISCE, the itinerary introduced NAC students to resources and programs available at Carleton. The group attended an environmental science workshop led by faculty from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, explored Indigenous spaces on campus and learned about student support services, including the Indigenous Enriched Support Program. The visit concluded with a Q&A session, where NAC students engaged with Carleton Inuit students about life at the university.
The collaboration supports Inuit students in preparing for roles that are critical to Nunavut’s governance and environmental sustainability. It also includes opportunities for Carleton Inuit students to travel north for land-based learning, earning academic credit while experiencing life in the Arctic.
“There’s so much to learn, so many opportunities and different job fields to explore,” said Riley Adams, first-year student at NAC. “What I’m focused on is Arctic research and how it can benefit my community. Combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific information and finding a balance between the two.”
With Ottawa’s proximity to Iqaluit—a direct three-hour flight—and its status as home to the largest Inuit population outside the North, Carleton is well-positioned to support these initiatives. The partnership underscores the importance of increasing Inuit representation in environmental science and governance roles to ensure a sustainable future for Nunavut.
This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to recruit Inuit students into undergraduate programs at Carleton, particularly in environmental sciences, which are essential for supporting Nunavut’s self-governance.