Clyde River chosen for cultural school

TheBaffin Island community of Clyde Riverhas been selected as the site of the new Nunavut Cultural School.

Clyde Riverwas one of nine communities that made a pitch to the Nunavut government to house themain campus of Piqqusilirivvik.

It was a difficult choice to make, Louis Tapardjuk, minister of culture, language elders and youth, saidin the legislature Monday.

"We know Piqqusilirivvik is set up so that it will benefit all of Nunavummiut, not only the land claims beneficiaries, but all Nunavummiut," Tapardjuk said.

"It really does not matter what race they are. I think it's our intention as a government that we set up this kind of institution for the betterment, and promotion and enhancement of Inuktitut language and promotion."

The government has committed $10 million to the project and plans to establish a steering committee to deal with how the school will be run and what type of curriculum it will offer.

Clyde River is on the island's eastern shore, about 750 kilometres north of Iqaluit.

The communities of Baker Lake and Igloolik will serve as satellite campuses.