Towards Piliriqatigiinniq in Literacy Instruction

Abstract

Understanding how educators embody the Inuit societal value (ISV) of piliriqatigiinniq / ikajuqtigiinniq (working together for a common cause) reveals ways in which collaborative activities could be replicated across Nunavut so that all educators, and in turn their students, can benefit. A brief overview of the research study I undertook for my doctoral degree provides context for the purpose of this paper which is to examine one aspect of its findings—how providing structured opportunities for teachers to engage in collaboration can strengthen literacy instruction. Following a discussion of the relationship between piliriqatigiinniq / ikajuqtigiinniq and teacher collaboration, successful examples of teacher collaboration taking place in Nunavut schools will be shared, and, finally, how more educators can have opportunities to engage in collaborative practices will be considered.