A polar bear group, an adult and two cubs in the wild.

Connecting Kivalliq Elders through Youth Mentorship

September 8, 2021

Technology provides exciting new ways to share information and history, and to build connections. Through an exciting new partnership called Connected Elders, Nunavummiut youth and Elders will use technology to share and learn from each other. 

Connected Elders will train youth as mentors, teaching elders in their communities to use tablets and the internet, improving their connections with family, friends, and community. With the program schedule to start in October, we are actively recruiting Elders and 16 youth mentors, starting now!

Participating Elders will receive a digital tablet and internet data package at no cost, alongside customized weekly lessons. Youth mentors will receive technology and training to help deliver these learning modules and be paid to mentor Elders in their communities to become comfortable with technology, and use it to communicate with their friends and families.

The Connected Elders program is a wonderful example of how great things happen through collaboration. We are proud to partner with HelpAge Canada and Connected Canadians to develop and deliver a unique program that will provide paid internship opportunities for tech-savvy youth to mentor their digital skills expertise with Elders in their own communities.

If you are (or know!) a youth or Elder in the Kivalliq region or Clyde River who would benefit from participating in the Connected Elders program, contact Jennie Cross at jennie@pinnguaq.com, call 867-979-2509, or reach out to us through Facebook.