Skip to content

Busy May for Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik Grade 6 class

Jason Hatt's Grade 6 at Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik class has been busy this month.

Jason Hatt's Grade 6 homeroom class at Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik cleans the school grounds May 15 with the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle of avatittinnik – respect and care for the land, animals and environment – in mind. Back row from left: Darren Ningeongan, Dylan Kilabuk, Amarinda Alainga, Hailey Garbig, William O'Dell, Connor Ejetsiak and Jack Campbell. Front row, from left: Mikkiag-Thomas Naglingniq, Gordon Totalik-Papatsie, Kaiya Tulugak-Martel, Leah Steele, Zachary Nuyalia and Ashley Nowdluk.
photo courtesy Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik

They put the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle of avatittinnik – respect and care for the land, animals and environment – into action.

"On Wednesday, May 15th, the class decided to make this a reality by cleaning the grounds on and adjacent to the school building. Gloves and garbage bags were provided to make this initiative possible," said principal Brian Manning.

"They did a terrific job and have since challenged the other classes at the school to make a similar contribution to the environment."

Author Aviaq Johnston paid a visit to Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik's Grade 6 class to discuss her first novel Those Who Run in the Sky. Left to right: Grade 6 teacher Jason Hatt, student Haley Kennedy, student Leah Johnston, and author Aviaq Johnston.
photo courtesy Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik

Most recently, Hatt welcomed author Aviaq Johnston to their classroom.

"They had been studying her book entitled Those Who Run in the Sky," said Manning.

"The students were excited to meet her and to discuss the writing process with her. We thank Aviaq for sharing her time with our Grade 6 students and for her efforts on behalf of Nunavut writers, present and future."

Johnston's second book, Those Who Dwell Below, is soon to be published.