Pinnguaq Association

The Pinnguaq Association is a non-profit organization that inspires STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) learning in partnership with Indigenous, rural, and remote communities to nurture culture, storytelling and connection as pathways to wellbeing.

Our vision is for vibrant, connected communities where everyone can achieve their full potential.

Our mandate is to deliver unrivalled Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) programs that inspire those in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to cultivate digital skills through innovative technology, art, and play.

We pursue our work through community-led projects that are grounded in a six-phase cycle of a learning journey, providing multiple access points and support for individuals throughout life’s transitions. These include:

– Education: We develop bespoke K-12, Transitional Aged Youth, and Adult education programs through a community-led approach that is responsive to community strengths and needs;

– Resources: We provide resources, including space, training, equipment and digital tools to learners at no cost, and develop sustainable resource networks and technology refurbishment programs;

– Mentorship: We foster relationship and capacity building between industry professionals and community participants to share expertise, and accelerate the transition of mentees into leadership roles.

– Employment: We create employment opportunities and promote STEAM industries as viable and sustainable forms of employment outside of large urban centres and across diverse geographies

– Production: We support the co-creation of community-centered products and services that have a positive impact on people.

– Advocacy: We advocate for access to digital technology in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities and equitable representation in the STEAM field

As an essential social determinant of health, we focus on the power of education to activate social and technological change, responding specifically to the ways in which digital divides in Canada intersect with other forms of exclusion, including by sex, race, age, language, ability, education, income and location. We aim to reduce the digital divide as a factor for socioeconomic disparity between diverse communities through an integrated and strengths-based approach in the design and implementation of inclusive and sustainable solutions. Our goal is to implement equitable practices in STEAM education and digital literacy initiatives that harness the strength of culturally diverse ways of being and doing to build agency and ownership in the use of technology.

LOCATIONS

Canada

Company History

Pinnguaq was launched in 2012, in Pangnirtung, NU. Its origin was an informal youth club looking for ways to address barriers faced by Inuit and Nunavummiut in accessing coding and computer science through culturally sustaining resources. Now headquartered in Lindsay, ON, with a satellite office and community Makerspace in Iqaluit, NU, our vision is for vibrant connected communities where everyone can achieve their full potential. Our mandate is to deliver unrivaled Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs that build pathways to well-being in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.