The Arctic College Moving Forward Together Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) conference wrapped up in Iqaluit, Nunavut this Thursday with a panel discussion about the future of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) practices in Nunavut.
Moderated by Baffin PLAR Regional Coordinator Anna Ziegler, the expert panel consisted of Jane Aupaluqtuk, Director of Human Resources and Natan Obed, Director of Social and Cultural Development with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.; Joamie Eegeesiak, Career Planning Specialist for the Inuit Employment Planning Division of the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Human Resources; Quttiktuq Member of the Legislative Assembly Ron Elliot and Jennifer Archer, Manager of Nunavut Arctic College’s PLAR pilot project.
Panelists were asked a number of questions about next steps for the future of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition in Nunavut.
“If you really want to get to know more of your skills and more of your abilities, this is a very good program to take.”
- Jane Aupaluktuq
Aupaluktuk has been a member of the College’s PLAR Territorial Advisory Committee since its inception in 2007 and strongly believes in the potential of PLAR to recognize and mobilize the great capacity already present in the communities of Nunavut.
When asked about the future of PLAR in Nunavut from an employer’s perspective, Jane said her own experience taking the PLAR Advisor Training course taught her more about how to help other people in bringing-out their skills and abilities.
She told the audience “It’s a very good program for those who may have been out of school for a long time and are looking to further their education. “
For those who went back to school, taking this program will very much help bring the positive out of them,” she said. “Let them realize they do have skills. They do have abilities. They do have knowledge. And that they can put it on paper and bring it to people that could help them look for work, or for whatever education they want to work towards in order to improve themselves.”
“It needs to become part of our daily lives.”
- Ron Elliot, MLA for Quttiktuq
Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in 2008, Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliot was an adult educator with Nunavut Arctic College at their Community Learning Centre in Arctic Bay. He now represents the High Arctic communities of Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord – the northernmost community in Canada. Elliot facilitated portfolio development courses and contributed to the development of the College’s Portfolio Development curriculum.
If it were up to him, PLAR would become a vital part of the Government of Nunavut’s work culture, helping to implement Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
“You can actually see the difference. In the class I was teaching, we had 100 per cent attendance,” he said. “We had students showing up eager -- five, ten, fifteen minutes early. We had a hundred per cent of the students return for the second year.”
Elliot mentioned how the students applied for jobs and received employment while they were off. “I can see increased employment coming through this,” he said.
“If I was to encapsulate what PLAR is all about, it’s about celebrating success.”
This year’s conference was an opportunity to network
After a healthy lunch break, complete with Arctic Char and muktaaq, participants took part in a table talk session, which allowed them the opportunity to network, share and discuss the ideas and concepts they learned during the conference.
The Igloo of Life
Closing the conference, the final afternoon session was a much-anticipated presentation by Meeka Arnakaq about the Igloo of Life.
The Igloo of Life: An Inuit Model of Personal Development is a self-assessment tool she developed. Arnakaq, an Elder from Pangirtung, Nunavut worked as an adult educator at the Pangnirtung Community Learning Centre for over ten years. She also facilitated personal development and healing workshops for many years. For the portfolio course, Meeka worked with her sister, Leena Evic to prepare and translate some of her core teachings.
The Igloo of Life is made up of 15 blocks. Each block represents an aspect of the self, working together as a whole, healthy human being.
“Like the blocks of an igloo, there are many aspects of self. We need to continue to develop and celebrate all of them to be a whole, healthy person,” said Arnakaq. “We can strengthen our blocks and we can strengthen ourselves. No matter what we started with, we can make choices in our lives – we can learn, grow and change!”
“An igloo must be built on a strong foundation; otherwise it will not be a good shelter.”
For more information about the Igloo of Life, visit the Arctic College PLAR web site at www.plar.arcticcollege.ca
Note: Special Presentation of Values and Resilience: A Model of Wellness with Darien Thira
Due to this Wednesday’s blizzard, many attendees were unable to attend presenter Darien Thira’s presentation on Values and Resilience: A Model of Wellness. Darien has graciously agreed to give his presentation a second time for those who missed it. Darien’s presentation will be held at the Frobisher Inn Baffin Room on Friday, January 22, 2010 from 8;30-9:30 a.m. Interested members of the public and government are encouraged and invited to attend.