1. WHAT IS THE QANUIKKAT SIQINIRMIUT? HEALTH SURVEY?

This is a research project that will describe the health of the southern Quebec Inuit population.  It is lead by Professor Christopher Fletcher, Laval University in partnership with the Qavvivik Inuit Family and Community Health Centre. The project aims to learn more about the health and wellness of Inuit living in Quebec but outside of Inuit Nunangat. We want to generate information and describe Inuit health and well-being from an Inuit perspective to support the development of services with people in the south. 

2. WHO ARE THE TARGET POPULATION FOR THE PROJECT?

Everyone over 16 years old, self-identifying as Inuk and currently living in southern Quebec

3. WHY A SOUTHERN INUIT HEALTH SURVEY?

The number of Inuit living in the south is increasing rapidly, there are over 2000 Inuit living in the south but very little is known about their health. As the population grows the need for culturally appropriate health services also increases. The Qanuikkat Siqinirmiut? survey will create the knowledge needed to build health programs to meet the needs of the Inuit community.

4. WHAT WILL THE DATA BE USED FOR?

First, we should provide a better understanding of the health and well-being of southern Quebec Inuit. We seek to rigorously describe the specific health aspects of this community, to define the determinants influencing community health, and draw a fair picture of the situation, all in a culturally relevant way.

Second, these data should be used as a basis for developing an action plan that focuses on the development of policies, services and projects that will improve the health and well-being of the community and serving their interests.

Finally, we also want to increase the capacity of the community by offering multiple opportunities for participation, learning and employment.

5. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE INFORMATION?

Qavvivik and Makivvik are the designated “knowledge users” of the research results. Together with the research team we will make decisions about how the results will be used.  In all cases the project respects Inuit community control, access and ownership of data.

6. HOW LONG WILL SURVEY TAKE?

The length of interviews depends on the person being interviewed. Generally interviews last around one hour.

Walkalongs, interviews where the participant takes the interviewer around the city can take one to two hours.

Focus groups, where a group share about different themes, can vary between three and five hours.

7. WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR PARTICIPATING?

Yes. Each person will receive $30, a gift bag and information.

8. WHAT IS THE INUIT INVOLVEMENT IN THIS PROJECT?

Qannuikat Siqinirmiut? is a community-based participatory project in partnership between the Qavvivik and the university-based research team. The research team works out of the Qavvivik offices in Verdun.

9. HOW LONG WILL THE PROJECT TAKE?

The project began in 2018 but was seriously delayed by COVID pandemic and changes in team members and community partnerships. The quantitative survey will bein in May 2024 and the results will be made available to the community in 2025.

8. WHEN WILL WE GET THE END RESULTS?

Results form the early pahses of the survey are available here. The questionnaire phase is underway now, results should be shared with the community in 2025. 

9. IS THE INFORMATION I SHARE CONFIDENTIAL?

Yes. Our project has received ethical approval by the Comités éthiques de la recherche de l’Université Laval (# 2018–258), which ensures that each research file respects the participants’ right to confidentiality. All collected information will be confidential—names of the participants will not appear in any reports and anonymity will be preserved during analysis. The participants will be asked to read a consent statement explaining their rights before deciding if they want to participate. In case of conflict or if the participant has complaints or criticisms, they may contact the Office of the Ombudsman at Laval University at 1-866-323-2271 or info@ombudsman.ulaval.ca

10. WHO IS THE PROJECT SUPPORTED BY?

The project is officially supported by the Qavvivik and Makivvik. Major funding has been received from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, ArcticNet and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

11. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MY PARTICIPATION?

Contributing your experience and views to the project and answering the questionnaire will help define the health issues that need attention and the development of appropriate services for the Inuit community.

12. IF I AM INTERESTED TO PARTICIPATE OR IF I HAVE QUESTIONS, WHAT CAN I DO?

We invite you to contact us either by email, phone or via Facebook Messenger. You can also chat with one of our team members at community feasts or community events