Aaju Peter believes it is never too late to pursue education. At 65, the elder, activist, and lawyer is graduating this year after returning to school earlier in 2025.
Originally from Greenland and now living in Iqaluit, Peter enrolled at the Pirurvik Inuktitut language institute, where she is both a student and a teacher. She says her return to the classroom reflects her belief in lifelong learning.
“Life is a lifelong learning process,” Peter said. “If you can upgrade and take the opportunities to learn more, it provides you with more opportunity.”
For Peter, education is not just for the young. She said that juggling schoolwork with adult responsibilities can be difficult, but the effort is worthwhile.
“You have homework, you have to do so many things, and when you are a grown person, you have other responsibilities,” she said. “But going to school is a gift, and it’s not a guarantee. We should take advantage of it.”
Peter said she enjoys the challenge of studying again. She sees it as a way to grow and to contribute, especially in preserving and sharing Inuit language and culture with younger generations — a responsibility she takes seriously.
Still, Peter believes that learning happens beyond the classroom. She encourages others, especially those considering post-secondary education, to seek out experiences that expand their understanding of the world.
“If they want to travel, if they want to do other experiences, if they want to learn other things, they should do that,” she said.
