Program History

A vision rooted in northern priorities

Connected North’s story begins with Inuit-led efforts to strengthen education and help children stay in school. Its development reflects a commitment to listen to northern communities and create learning opportunities that respond to their priorities.

In 2006, Mary Simon, then President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, launched a national education initiative. This led to the 2008 National Summit on Inuit Education in Inuvik, the 2009 Inuit Education Accord and First Canadians, Canadians First: National Strategy on Inuit Education, released in June 2011. Developed through a national process overseen by the National Committee on Inuit Education, chaired by Mary Simon, the strategy made helping children stay in school a core priority, alongside bilingual education grounded in Inuit culture, history and worldview.

Mary Simon invited partners to help respond to these educational priorities. Willa Black, a leader at Cisco Canada, explored how the company’s technology, expertise and relationships could make northern classrooms more engaging. Their collaboration laid the foundation for Connected North.

Making the first connections possible

In September 2013, the first education pilot began at Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Using high-definition, two-way video technology, students could meet scientists and other experts, take part in experiments and exchange questions in real time. Learning experiences that would otherwise require extensive travel could now come directly into the classroom.

Making these connections possible required persistence. Northern schools faced significant connectivity barriers, including the delays associated with satellite internet. Cisco engineers and connectivity partners worked to adapt the technology to these conditions, helping turn a promising idea into a practical classroom experience.

The purpose was to help make school a place students wanted to be. Live connections offered opportunities to ask questions, discover interests and build relationships with inspiring guests. Working alongside educators, Connected North began creating experiences designed to strengthen students’ engagement with learning and give them more reasons to look forward to coming to school.

TakingITGlobal helps the vision grow

In 2015, TakingITGlobal co-founder Jennifer Corriero travelled to Nunavut through an international technology access initiative. Hearing Mary Simon and Willa Black speak about Arctic education, she recognized a shared commitment to using technology to expand opportunity for young people and offered TakingITGlobal’s support.

Later that year, TakingITGlobal became Connected North’s charitable home and education lead. Jennifer and co-founder Michael Furdyk brought experience in youth engagement, educational technology and global collaboration. Together with Cisco and the founding partners, they began building the relationships, programming and support needed for the initiative’s next chapter.

Helping students connect with school

From the five schools involved when TakingITGlobal joined, Connected North has grown to a network of more than 230 schools. Its reach has expanded across northern and remote communities, connecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis students with people and experiences that support their learning and aspirations.

The program has evolved through relationships with educators, communities and content providers. Live sessions with Indigenous knowledge keepers, artists, scientists and other guests invite students to ask questions and pursue their interests. Virtual field trips and career conversations connect classroom learning with the wider world and possibilities for the future.

Cultural relevance and representation are central to this approach. Meeting First Nations, Inuit and Métis role models can help students see their identities, cultures and communities reflected in their learning. These experiences are designed to strengthen belonging, pride and motivation: foundations that can support students’ continued connection to school.

In the 2025–26 teacher survey, 94% of teachers reported that Connected North sessions help engage students and contribute to improved attendance and motivation for learning. This feedback shows how the program supports educators’ efforts to keep students connected to school.

This work depends on sustained collaboration. Cisco’s founding contribution brought technology, expertise and partners together. TakingITGlobal develops and delivers the program alongside schools and content providers, supported by donors, foundations, corporate partners, governments and education authorities.

Celebrating ten years with Mary Simon

On October 4, 2023, Connected North marked its 10th anniversary in Toronto with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Her participation brought the program’s story full circle: the Inuit leader whose advocacy helped inspire its beginnings joined the celebration of a decade of learning and connection.

In her remarks, the Governor General reflected on the program’s roots in Inuit education priorities, the collaboration that made it possible and the young people who had grown alongside it. She also emphasized the continuing importance of reliable connectivity for northern communities.

The anniversary was an opportunity to honour the students, educators, communities and partners who had shaped Connected North, and to renew the commitment to the work ahead.

The next chapter

As connectivity improves across the North, new opportunities are opening for schools to participate in live, interactive learning. Significant gaps remain, and access to technology must be matched by relationships, relevant programming and consistent support.

Connected North’s next chapter builds on the priority that helped inspire its beginnings: helping children stay in school. By listening to communities and working alongside educators, the program continues creating experiences that spark curiosity, affirm identity and strengthen students’ connection to learning and their futures.