I'd like to tell you about some of the results of the program.
One, in perspective, Nunavut Sivuniksavut is the only program of its kind, not only in Nunavut but in Canada. There is no other program like it. To date, about 270 young people have benefited from the experience. It's a small program with a long history. It has remained quite small, but there are 270 young people out there now, slowing getting involved in Nunavut society.
In 2005 we did a survey of 180 of those graduates. We contacted them to do a survey of what their employment and academic history had been since they left the program. Of those 180 we contacted, 40% were working within government, either federal, territorial or municipal; 19% were working in the private sector; 15% were furthering their studies in post-secondary education; and another 19% were working for Inuit organizations. Of those 180, only four were unemployed.
Those are some workforce statistics on young people's participation once they've taken the program. But it's important to look at what's behind that. Why is it that they are so involved and so active in the workforce once they leave? It has to do with the impact of the program on individuals.
You can measure the success of a program in many ways. One is through statistics that come from workforce activity. The other, though, is more qualitative--the impact on young people themselves, the individuals.
Students come away with a knowledge of their place in Canada. They've learned their story, they've learned their history. They've learned what their ancestors, in generations before them, have gone through to get to the point where they are today, and they understand why things are they way they are today. They understand where the cultural, social, and economic reality of Nunavut has come from, and all importantly, the political reality. So they have knowledge of that. They've developed some unique academic and independent living skills, which gives them some confidence to move further.
But perhaps most importantly, they've developed some strong positive attitudes about themselves as Inuit, and this is what we've found to be the most important impact of the program. Students move away from the program with increased pride in who they are, increased respect for their culture, their society, and their people. They develop confidence in themselves. They're enthusiastic and they're strongly committed to the future of Nunavut and to being involved in it.
It's these understandings and attitudes that lead them to be so active in the workforce.
With these sorts of results, the program has garnered a high degree of support within Nunavut society. It's virtually unknown in the south, but within Nunavut society it's becoming more and more known. This support is measured in various ways.
One is among parents. Some families have encouraged two or three of their children to come to NS. We have teachers who are steering graduates in some communities to come to the NS program, and of course the graduates themselves are going home and telling other young people, their peers, that this is an experience that's worthwhile.
Political leaders, employers, and government officials have noted the positive qualities of graduates, and this has increased their commitment to the program. In fact, it's only through the support of people in Nunavut, political leaders and government officials, that the program still exists today.
Nunavut Sivuniksavut is not an institution with core funding, it's not an institution that can be taken for granted. There is only one organization that provides annual funding, and that annual funding is about 10%. All other funds must be sought out each and every year, which you can appreciate brings a certain amount of complication to planning for the future, for meeting any growing needs, and for developing and improving the program. Of the funds that come to the organization, 70% are through Nunavut territorial organizations—Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the training arms of the three regional Inuit associations. Up to 20% of the program's funding each year may come from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada through the university and college entrance program funding that is allocated to Nunavut.
That's some background on the results and the position of the program financially. Although it has existed for 22 years, it's still in a very precarious position. Now we're looking to the future and trying to decide where to go from here.