Igalaaq: The Rankin Inlet Community Access Centre

This paper describes how a dedicated teacher, a supportive school and business community, and numerous volunteers created Igalaaq, an innovative community computer access centre in Rankin Inlet.  Igalaaq (which means ‘window’ in the Inuktitut language) is located in the computer room of Leo Ussak Elementary School and provides Internet access to staff, students and community members.  For Rankin Inlet, a community of 2,000 people which is located on the west coast of Hudson Bay and is accessible only by air, the centre is a virtual window on the world. Students learn to produce their own web pages and are introduced to robotics and programming.  Computers are being used to enhance the students’ appreciation of their language and culture.  The program has received numerous awards and international attention from the media and educators around the world.

ISBN – 1-894159-30-6