Inuit involvement in developing a participatory action research project on youth, violence prevention, and health promotion

Survey, Focus Group, Participatory Action Research

This article outlines a participatory action research project involving Inuit youth in addressing violence prevention and health promotion. The partnership process is described as well as the guiding principles that were developed incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit societal values). Factors for success and limitations are also reflected upon to aid others in undergoing a similar research process, especially within an Inuit context.

Research process was guided by Inuit Qaujimajatuq (traditional values).

This article aims to be a roadmap that researchers can use to work in partnership with Inuit organizations. The article emphasises Inuit engagement throughout every stage of the research process using participatory action research methods.

Survey, Focus Group

An outreach strategy was developed with Inuit youth to prevent violence and promote health via social media.

"A major challenge was how to deal with traumatic issues like violence in empowering rather than disempowering ways, and this is where Inuit engagement in developing the research process made the most significant difference" (p. 121)

"The focus of the Makilirit project thus shifted from documentation of violence to violence prevention, which was more conducive to the action goal of this participatory action research, i.e., to generate evidence for an outreach strategy to prevent violence among Inuit youth and to educate them about violence via social media" (p. 121)

Inuit Studies
Indigenous Studies