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Inuvialuit Education Foundation

The Inuvialuit Education Foundation (IEF), a non-profit organization, was established in 1990 to increase the number of beneficiaries accessing and completing educational studies. Support is currently provided in these areas: Tutor Program, Post-Secondary Financial Assistance Program, Scholarship Program and Summer Language Camp Program.

Another component of IEF is the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement (AHRDA) which provides funding for employment and training.

Tutor Program

The Tutor Program is operated in partnership with the local District Education Authorities in each of the Inuvialuit communities and encourages Inuvialuit students to achieve their best academically as well as to "stay in school". Currently, it involves Grades 5 to 12 and post-secondary students.

IEF Post-Secondary Financial Assistance and Scholarship Guidelines

  1. Students must be enrolled beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.
  2. Students who have outstanding loans with IEF will not be considered for funding until repayment arrangements have been made.
  3. Funding through IEF is considered to be secondary funding. In order to meet expenses, students must have a primary funding source, which may include but is not limited to funding through territorial or provincial student finance boards or guaranteed savings.
  4. Students must be enrolled full-time in a recognized post-secondary diploma or degree program. Exceptions: Students enrolled in Access, UCEP and Pre-Technology are eligible for a one-year period, subject to annual review by the IRC Board.
  5. Final acceptance of students is dependent on all program criteria being met.

Criteria for Post-Secondary Financial Assistance Program (PSFAP)

  1. Deadlines for applications are as follows:
    July 15 - September intake
    November 15 - January intake
    March 15 - Spring/Summer intake
    Applications for other periods must be received six (6) weeks prior to the course start date.

  2. The following must be included in each application:
    a) Proof of acceptance from the College, Technical Institute or University.
    b) Official transcripts (no photocopies) from the last educational institution attended.
    c) Proof of territorial or provincial funding.
    d) Photocopy of NWT Health Care card as proof of residency.

  3. Applicants will receive verbal approval or rejection of funding within two (2) weeks of the application deadline. Formal written approval will follow. The IEF Manager will base acceptance or rejection of each application on:
    a) Complete application meeting all the program eligibility criteria.
    b) Applicant’s marks in the last semester.
    c) Availability of funding for the period requested.

  4. The student enrollment form must be signed by the registrar and submitted to the IEF Manager when classes begin.

  5. Payments will be deposited into bank accounts or mailed on the third Monday of every month. Students who wish the service of direct deposit must provide a branch and account number from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Cheques may also be picked up from the IEF office.

  6. The monthly payment level is determined by the applicant’s residency as follows:
    Level 1 - beneficiaries residing in the Northwest Territories) - $500/month.
    Level 2 - beneficiaries (residing outside of the NWT) - $200/month.
    All eligible UCEP, Access and Pre-Technology students will receive $200/month.
    Support for eligible UCEP, Access and Pre-Technology students will be granted if there are remaining funds in the budget after the diploma/degree students funding has been assessed.

  7. Students must have a minimum of a 70% grade point average. Students must arrange for official transcripts to be sent in after each semester for a review of academic performance. Monthly payments may be delayed until the student’s semester marks can be confirmed.

  8. If a student accepted into the PSFAP does not maintain an average of 70% or higher in their program, he/she may be eligible for a one semester probation period. At the discretion of the IEF Manager, a student whose average marks drop to the 68-69% range may continue to receive funding for one more semester. Support for academic probation will be withdrawn if the IEF budget levels are not adequate to maintain the fund.

  9. A returning student on probation in the past semester will not be eligible for funding.

  10. The Post-Secondary Financial Assistance Program (PSFAP) is considered a loan and therefore not deemed as income by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. If an approved student maintains an average of 70% or higher or successfully completes their program, IEF shall forgive this loan. If an approved student fails to complete their program, the full amount loaned may be deemed repayable.

  11. Applicant must have been resident in the NWT for 12 continuous/consecutive months before the start of their program in order to be eligible for Level 1 funding support. Note: If applicant has not been a resident of the NWT for 12 continuous months before the start of the program, he/she may still be eligible for the Level 1 funding if any of the following situations apply:

    a) The parent(s) having sole custody of the applicant was a resident of the NWT while the applicant was away at school.
    b) The parent(s) having sole custody of the applicant was temporarily out of the NWT for a short-term (one year or less) work placement or to attend school.
    c) The applicant was attending school outside of the NWT while receiving financial support from the Government of the NWT.

    If none of the above situations apply, the applicant is only eligible to receive the lower level of funding.

Criteria for Scholarship Program

  1. Deadline for applications is as follows: - July 15 - except for the Aklak Air & Canadian Helicopter Aviation Scholarship.
  2. Students must have a minimum of 75% average in their previous year of study.
  3. Two letters of support are required.
  4. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement. The level of involvement in community activities may be considered.
  5. Funding from all scholarships is considered as income. It is the responsibility of each student to claim any funding received as income. IEF assumes no responsibility in this matter.

Masters Scholarship (5 @ $5,000)

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate-level program.
  2. Final acceptance of students is at the discretion of the Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation.

IDC Scholarships (5 Business @ $1,000 and 2 Health/Science @ $1,000)

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in a Business program.
  2. Applicants must be enrolled in the field of Food Service Management, Clinical Nutrition, Health Services Management or other related fields that will lead to a career in Health and Nutrition Services.
  3. Final approval is at the discretion of IRC and IDC.

Community Economic Development Organization (CEDO) Scholarship (2 @ $1,500)

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in the following fields: Business Administration, Commerce or Economics.
  2. Final approval is at the discretion of IRC.

Nelson Green-Joint Secretariat Memorial Scholarship (1 @ $1,000)

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in the field of Environmental Science, Policy or Law.
  2. Final approval is at the discretion of the Joint Secretariat and IRC.

Aklak Air & Canadian Helicopter Aviation Scholarship (rate of interest earned)

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in the following fields: Aviation Mechanics, Commercial Aviation Piloting, Aviation Management, or other related aviation careers.
  2. Final approval is at the discretion of the management of Aklak Air, Canadian Helicopters Ltd. and an IEF representative.

BP Canada Energy Company Scholarship (2 @ $3,000)

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in programs focusing on northern or environmental issues or programs, which provide business, technical or marine related training.
  2. Final approval is at the discretion of BP Canada Energy Company and an IEF representative.

Dougie Irish Petroleum Scholarship (2 @ $2,500)

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in Petroleum industry related studies.
  2. Final approval will be at the discretion of the Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation.

Summer Language Camp Program

The Summer Language Camp Programs are successfully delivered through the community corporations in Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok (Holman). Although the camps focus on language, science and technology, the on the land setting also allows youth to develop traditional and cultural skills.

Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement (AHRDA)

Since January 1996, the Aboriginal Labour Market Program and the Employment Insurance Act have worked together in a partnership to assist aboriginal peoples who are unemployed in accessing training that will eventually lead to employment. This partnership allows eligible aboriginal participants to develop and implement their own labour market programs, tailored to meet the unique needs of aboriginal communities. The current five year commitments between the Federal Government and selected service centres are known as AHRDA.

Program Goals of IRC AHRDA

  1. To assist Inuvialuit in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment.
  2. To establish a delivery service centre that will assist individuals in career and employment goal setting as appropriate to their culture.
  3. To create jobs through individual self-employment and community partnerships consistent with community and regional needs.
  4. To link the employability of individuals to the needs of employers and the workplace. As such, yearly priorities for funding will be set by IRC in consultation with its partners.

General Guidelines for Individual Funding through IRC AHRDA

  1. Residency - applicants must normally reside in the ISR or Inuvik.
  2. Consideration will be given to how the training will increase the applicant's employability.
  3. A completed application form, including a brief outline of career goals and a plan for achieving these goals, and a budget, including all sources of income and anticipated costs.
  4. Deadlines for applications as follows: Spring/Summer semester - March 15; Fall semester - July 15; Winter semester - November 15. For all other programs, applications must be submitted at least one month before the start date.
  5. Applicants must be age 21 or greater.

Application Procedure

Individuals must submit a completed application form to IRC.

Organizations requesting funding must submit a complete proposal, including project goals, description, evaluation and budget. The organization must clearly demonstrate how the employee(s), the organization and/or the community will benefit from the training. Reporting is required from all organizations receiving funding from IRC AHRDA.

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