The right to be educated until grade 12 in many of our Inuit communities wasn't realized until sometime in the early 1990's. In many cases, people were in residential schools until that time period. Now every single one of our communities has educational opportunities.
There are many communities that do not allow for any of their students to go directly into the programs of their choice within post-secondary education because of the lack of infrastructure and the inability for different schools to teach some of the core curricula that are prerequisites for some university courses. We have challenges in providing education, but I believe the education systems are a lot better than they ever were, and they continue to improve.
In terms of opportunities in small communities, there are different ways of thinking about opportunities. Many Inuit want to live in a mixed economy. They want to have some wage-based employment, yet also enough time and opportunity to live on the land and provide sustenance for their families with country food, or to provide their families and themselves with the connection to the land that allows for them to have positive mental health.
Yes, there need to be more opportunities for Inuit, especially in small communities, but also we have to rethink what constitutes a successful community. Our small communities can thrive. It's a matter of understanding how to provide the supports and the equity to ensure they have that opportunity.