Inuit youth health and wellbeing programming in Canada

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Health
• Youth Wellbeing
• Program Development

Background:

• Inuit youth face significant wellbeing challenges due to colonization's ongoing impacts.
• Urban centers, particularly Winnipeg, host large Inuit youth populations lacking culturally appropriate services.
• Existing research highlights a gap in tailored health and wellbeing support for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an environmental scan of Inuit youth health and wellbeing programming in Canada.
• To identify effective strategies for developing Inuit-centric programming.
• To inform the Qanuinngitsiarutiksait program of research and culturally congruent initiatives in Winnipeg.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was performed.
• Environmental scan methodology was employed to identify relevant programs.
• Assessment criteria were utilized to evaluate program effectiveness and Inuit involvement.

Main Results:

• Identified programs demonstrated Inuit involvement in their creation and framing.
• Programming was largely informed by Inuit knowledge and cultural approaches to wellbeing.
• Program evaluation data was scarce, making it difficult to discern program maturity (e.g., pilots vs. established programs).
• More non-urban programming was identified despite a growing urban Inuit youth population.

Conclusions:

• Culturally congruent programming informed by Inuit knowledge is crucial for enhancing Inuit youth wellbeing.
• There is a need for more robust evaluation of existing programs to guide future development.
• Further research is required to support the creation of effective, Inuit-led wellbeing strategies for urban Inuit youth.