GN to use $150,000 on ASIST training for teachers

The Government of Nunavut plans to use $150,000, contributed by the Nunavut Teachers Association, to offer ASIST training throughout Nunavut.

The education department plans to “work closely” with the Nunavut Arctic College to determine how to run the program through a contribution agreement, which would also involved the health department, Premier Eva Aariak, also Nunavut’s education minister, said May 8 in the territorial legislature.

“That agreement is still being finalized, such as the operational process and when the communities would start providing that training,” she said.

“It will be nice to know that there is core funding available of $150,000 and that it should enhance the service and delivery [of ASIST],” said Baker Lake MLA Aupaluktuq, who had asked Aariak more about how and when the ASIST program would be delivered.

Education minister Eva Aariak said May 7 that Nunavut’s education department will offer ASIST training to all Nunavut teachers over the course of a few years.

The ASIST or Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training program, developed by an organization called Living Works, trains people on how to respond to those who appear to be at immediate risk of suicide.

The community schedule for training has not yet been developed, Aariak told Aupaluktuq.

To date, 328 teacher and school staff have received the ASIST training: 157 in the Qikiqtani region; 53 in the Kivalliq region; and 108 in the Kitikmeot region, she said.