Learning from Inuit perspectives on timimut ikajuqsivik/rehabilitation services for children

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Health Research
• Community Health
• Rehabilitation Sciences

Background:

• Current rehabilitation practices for children are largely Eurocentric, potentially neglecting Inuit needs and perspectives.
• Limited engagement of Inuit in service design hinders culturally safe care and self-determination.
• There is a critical need to incorporate Inuit knowledge into rehabilitation services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand and support the timimut ikajuqsivik (rehabilitation) interests of Inuit children in Nunavut.
• To foreground Inuit perspectives in developing culturally relevant rehabilitation approaches.
• To address the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous health services.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative inquiry using the Piliriqatigiinniq Partnership Model for Community Health Research.
• Employed a critical decolonizing lens and participatory analysis.
• Gathered data through individual and group storytelling sessions with 25 participants.

Main Results:

• Identified five core Inuit knowledge concepts guiding timimut ikajuqsivik: tunnganarniq, inuuqatigiitsiarniq, katujiqatigiinniq, naalagiuursaniq, and sivumuaqatigiigniq saimmaqatigiinnikkut.
• Highlighted the importance of aligning services with local Inuit knowledge systems and needs.
• Demonstrated the potential for culturally safe service delivery through community engagement.

Conclusions:

• Rehabilitation services must align with Inuit knowledge systems for effective and culturally safe practice.
• Integrating Indigenous perspectives is crucial for decolonizing health services and promoting equity.
• Community-driven approaches are essential for empowering Inuit self-determination in healthcare.