Alycia Mutual -UNBC

Alycia is an MA student in Interdisciplinary Studies at UNBC. Through the departments of Political Science, English, and International Studies, her research examines how newspapers frame Arctic issues in different Arctic regions. She focuses on regional autonomy and resource development in the Northwest Territories and Alaska. Alycia completed her BA in 2010 at the University of Calgary in the faculty of Communication and Culture.

Email: mutual@unbc.ca

Jeff Kormos -UNBC

Jeff grew up in Whitehorse, YT, where he completed high school at F.H. Collins Sr. Secondary School in 1996. He came to UNBC in September of 2009 to start his undergraduate studies. He completed his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Political Science and International Studies in December of 2012. The highlight of his undergraduate studies was an exchange in Yakutsk, Russian Federation from June to December 2011. Consequently, during his undergraduate studies at UNBC, he developed an interest in Russian language, culture, history, and, of course, politics.  As a northerner, Jeff has always been interested in the many political, economic, and social challenges and opportunities associated with life in the north. He began his graduate studies in the Political Science department at UNBC in January of 2013. His intended graduate studies focus is on aboriginal/indigenous relationships with state and regional governments in Canada and Russia. Some related areas of focus and interest include First Nations’ governance, northern studies, and circumpolar development and cooperation.

Email: kormos@unbc.ca

Erin Estok -Laurier University

Queen's University -BAH in Political Studies

Laurier University- MA in Political Science, Canadian Specialization (Anticipated)

Title of MRP: Devolution of Power and Aboriginal Education in Canada: The Impact of Structure and Jurisdiction

Summary/ Abstract: In light of the development of the proposed First Nations Education Act, this research seeks to explore the impact of both structure and jurisdiction on Aboriginal educational outcomes in Canada, as measured by high school graduation rates. This research compares the schools and education structures in Inuvialuit communities located in the Northwest Territories against typical federally-funded band-operated 'on-reserve' schools located in communities south of the 60th degree parallel. It examines current structures and systems in the policy realm of Aboriginal education to determine best practices and/or lessons learned for informing the development of future legislation.

Maxime Thibault -Université Laval

Maxime Thibault is a Master’s candidate in International studies at the Institut québécois des hautes études internationales (Université Laval), with interests in Nunavik’s governance issues, particularly related to housing policy. Mrs. Thibault holds a Bachelor degree in International studies and modern languages from the Université Laval. In 2010, she completed a semester at the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow,  where she improved her knowledge of Russian language, culture and politics. She also has a Bachelor degree in Music from the Université de Montréal.