Songwriting workshop tours region as part of School Perseverance Days

By Nunatsiaq News

Starting in February, windows of Nunavik homes and cars will display messages encouraging students to stay in school.

Decal stickers will be mailed out early in the month as part of the campaign, called School Perseverance Days, which runs from Feb. 17 to 20.

The annual campaign is supported by the Kativik Regional Government and organized by ESUMA—a group aimed at increasing graduation rates in Nunavik with the help of several organizations in the region.

The program encourages Nunavimmiut of all ages to contribute to the educational success of youth.

As part of School Perseverance Days, ESUMA has partnered with Influencers Motivating Influencers, who toured the region this summer and uses performance to discuss mental health and wellness.

With funding from the KRG and Air Inuit, artists Hyper-T and Angela Amarualik are touring Nunavik from Jan. 20 to Feb. 18, hosting songwriting workshops with students. Nunavik youth will co-create a song with lyrics from every school about persevering in education.

The tour dates are as follows:

Jan 20 – Kangiqsualujjuaq

Jan 22 – Tasiujaq

Jan 24 – Aupaluk

Jan 26 – Kangirsuk

Jan 28 – Quaqtaq

Jan 30 – Kangiqsujuaq

Feb 1 – Salluit

Feb 4 – Ivujivik

Feb 6 – Akulivik

Feb 8 – Puvirnituq

Feb 11– Inukjuak

Feb 13 – Umiujaq

Feb 15 – Kuujjuaraapik

Feb 18 – Kuujjuaq

Any school staff interested in the project or wanting to get involved can contact David DeVos at influencersmotivate@gmail.com or by phone at 306-307-5312. For more information on School Perseverance Days and the work of ESUMA, contact info@esuma.ca.