Mr. McGill is the Senior Instructor for the Social Services Program. The award recognizes McGill’s dedication to excellence in Education for Nunavummiut and his work in connecting his students to their peers in the rest of the North as well as the Circumpolar World.

“Our students aren’t just coming for the credential.” remarked McGill. “They want the education that comes with the credential. They know the difference now and are hungry to learn. And they want that for their children as well, so we, the educators, need to keep getting better at what we do.

The nomination comes from his fellow Social Workers in the North through the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada (ASWNC).

McGill continued. “Social Workers in the North are doing such an amazing job. Our slogan is ‘More than Just …’ as in we are doing much more than just what you may know us for. For my work to be singled out like this, well, I feel very humble and grateful.”

McGill explained that Social Workers work everywhere from Justice, Child Protection, Domestic Violence, Mental Health and Addictions to Social Policy and Community Development.

When asked what changes he is seeing at the College, McGill points to the pride that the Inuit students have in their heritage and identity.

“Historically Inuit have been adventurous, creative, resourceful and resilient.” He states, “Today’s Inuit students are defining themselves. They aren’t waiting for someone else to say they are Inuit because they did this or did that. They are Inuit because they are Inuit and they are proud to be Inuit.”

The award will be presented officially at a Social Work Week get-together in Cambridge Bay this week.