Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated has officially launched the Qanuippitaa National Inuit Health Survey.
Surveys in Pond Inlet were completed earlier this month. Sanikiluaq, Sanirajak and Gjoa Haven are to surveyed in August.
Inuit from each community will be chosen at random from the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) enrolment list and asked to take part. Participation is voluntary, and the survey will be conducted in-person in the language of the participant’s choice. Interpreters will be made available in all communities to ensure that participants can take the survey in the dialect/language they are most comfortable with. The survey is available in Inuktut, Inuinnaqtun and English.
Qanuippitaa's goal is to improve the health and social well-being of Nunavut Inuit by influencing health and social development policies and programs. The initiative is designed and owned by Inuit. Any data collected will be retained and stored on secure servers at NTI, with strict rules surrounding who can access and use the data, according to the land claims organization.
Those who choose to participate will help to tell meaningful stories of Inuit health and well-being. The purpose of the survey is to monitor change, identify gaps, and inform decision-making, which will ensure future programs and policies will more accurately reflect needs and priorities in Nunavut Inuit.
Questions will focus on many topics, including food and nutrition, mental wellness, substance use, and culture and identity, among others. Some Inuit stated that they also wanted questions asked that will highlight the strengths of Inuit and Nunavut's communities. While data on the health challenges facing Inuit is important to have, strengths-based questions are required to tell a more balanced story that also reflects the positive things happening in Inuit Nunangat, according to NTI.
“I strongly encourage all Inuit selected to participate in the survey to do so, as the data collected will be used to make decisions that impact the lives of Inuit.” says NTI President, Aluki Kotierk. “This is an opportunity for Inuit to tell our story, to actively participate in health research in Nunavut, and influence how that research will be used.”
Inuit are also being invited to participate in helping to administer the survey through applying for paid positions. Qanuippitaa will be looking to hire people in all 25 Nunavut communities, with training and compensation provided.
To learn more and to stay up to date on Qanuippitaa and to find out when the survey will be in your community, email NTI at info@qnihs.ca.
