Ottawa, October 20, 2017 – A month after receiving the award for Best Social Enterprise Startup in the North, Pinnguaq Association is proud to have been selected as 2017’s Best Social Enterprise in Canada at the Startup Canada Grand Finale in Ottawa.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized for the work being done to include Nunavummiut in Canada’s digital economy”, said Ryan Oliver, Director, Pinnguaq. “This prestigious award signifies the importance of digital inclusion for all Canadians.“
Pinnguaq is the organization behind the te(a)ch program, addressing the particular technology and skills challenges facing youth in Nunavut. Among 13 delivery partners for the Government of Canada’s Computers for Schools (CFS) program in each province and territory, Pinnguaq also operates the CFS program in Nunavut that supplies the computers to the te(a)ch program.
“The CFS program’s intended environmental, social and economic impacts rely on the transfer of tools and knowledge through trusted partners such as Pinnguaq.” said CFSC’s Executive Director, Toby Harper-Merrett.
The te(a)ch program brings together a team of technical experts, curriculum developers, mental health workers and youth ambassadors from the north and south to work together on an online infrastructure that includes 100 lessons of curriculum to teach programming, game design, engineering and computer science from an introductory to an advanced level.
Through a partnership with CFSC-OPEC, Pinnguaq deploys these programs in key communities across the North, so that individuals can build and sustain their digital skills. CFSC-OPEC receives funding under the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada-led CFS program.
“Pinnguaq’s ability to reach communities across Nunavut, to deliver computers, transfer digital skills and work toward economic development is exceptional and fully deserving of this recognition”