Nunavut expands Indigenous-led curriculum to Grade 2 students

Grade 2 students in Nunavut are beginning their 2026-2027 school year with a new curriculum designed specifically for the territory, marking a significant step in the move away from external educational models. Nunavut Teachers’ Association (NTA) president Justin Matchett expressed his hopes for the success of the rollout, which follows the initial implementation for kindergarten and Grade 1 students during the previous school year. The 'made-in-Nunavut' curriculum includes instruction in Inuktut and aims to replace the Alberta-based model currently used for older year groups. Mr Matchett, who previously taught in two Nunavut communities, noted that the previous curriculum often lacked relevance for local students. The transition is part of a long-term strategy to introduce the localized curriculum to one additional grade level each year, with full implementation from kindergarten to Grade 12 expected by 2036. In addition to the curriculum changes, the NTA highlighted a positive trend in the growth of Inuit educators. Mr Matchett stated that the increasing number of Inuit teachers serves as an important signal to students that education is a rewarding career path within their own communities. While recruitment remains a challenge across Canada, the NTA noted that the Department of Education reported hiring progress in late spring compared to the same period in the previous year. As the new school year begins, the NTA plans to monitor the implementation closely. Mr Matchett emphasised that the union would be listening to its members to identify what is working well and where additional resources may be needed. Despite systemic challenges, Mr Matchett remained optimistic about the year ahead, celebrating the "beauty and everyday joy" found within the territory's schools and wishing students and educators a successful and positive year.