Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre

Purpose

This 78-month project will develop the “Ikajurniq (Helping one another)” approach and test its applicability as a promising practice for improving the capacity of emergency shelters to deliver culturally-appropriate services for women and children in Nunavut. Collaboration with local partner organizations will allow to test enhanced programming and staff training to promote culturally safe and relevant practices specifically tailored for Inuit women and children through Nunavut shelters’ services as well as those of the Umingmak Centre, a child advocacy centre for children and adolescents who disclose abuse. A rigorous evaluation of Ikajurniq’s capacity and training interventions will be conducted using the Piliriqatigiinniq Partnership model for Community Health Research. With the supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre will develop knowledge mobilization resources for partners and practitioners, produce one or more articles for academic publication based on project findings, pilot a community delivery mentorship and wrap around support program for Makimautiksat and Inunnguiniq graduates, explore opportunities with the Government of Nunavut Departments of Health and Family Services, develop shelter specific resources for Inunnguiniq and Makimautiksat training participants, and pilot Makimautiksat clinical tools and resources for use at the Umingmak Centre. Through this, they will further advance gender equality.