GN declines Akitsiraq II Law Program funding

Iqaluit, NU – June 2, 2010

The Akitsiraq Law School Society has been refused support for a proposed second cohort of the
successful Akitsiraq Law program, which was described by ”Qanukkaniq?” the GN report card, as
“an example of what should happen *in Nunavut+” (pg 1, October 1, 2009).

The Board is asking urgently for a meeting with GN Justice Minister Peterson after receiving a letter
from him stating (in part):
“… we regrettably do not have the resources to make the commitment you require….”

The Society held an emergency board meeting on the evening of Tuesday June 1, sending the
Minister a letter which states (in part):
“We understand that the GN … has many serious financial obligations. We note that the Akitsiraq
request to the GN was for 70% of the required core funding, which is $3,57 M over 6 years, or an
average of under $600,000 per year.

‘Divided among the three departments who sponsored the Akitsiraq I cohort (Justice, Human
Resources and Education) this averages under $200,000 per year, per department, for the term of the
program.

‘We request the opportunity to meet with you before June 10, 2010 to review possible approaches to
building support here in Nunavut and elsewhere for this very important post secondary opportunity.”

Potential students and sponsors have been advised of the GN position. The Faculty of Law at the
University of Ottawa has re-iterated its support for the program, stating: “uOttawa remains
committed to Akitsiraq and prepared to move forward.”

Full text of Peterson’s letter: Peterson declines Akitsiraq Funding May 31, 2010

Full text of the Akitsiraq meeting request: Akitsiraq Board Requests Meeting

Further information may be requested from the Akitsiraq Law School Society at

867-979-0963 or info@akitsiraq.ca or www.akitsiraq.ca