Understanding Manitoba Inuit’s Social Programs Utilization and Needs: Methodological Innovations

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2021.12.4.13690

Keywords:

Indigenous, arctic, urban, social program, children, Manitoba Inuit

Abstract

Manitoba is home to approximately 1,500 Inuit, and sees 16,000 consults yearly from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut to access services. The purpose of our study was to develop detailed profiles of Inuit accessing services in Manitoba, by using administrative data routinely collected by Manitoban agencies, to support the development of Inuit-centric services. This study was conducted in partnership with the Manitoba Inuit Association, and Inuit Elders from Nunavut and Manitoba. Findings shows that the Inuit community living in Manitoba is fairly stable, with only approximately 5 percent of Inuit moving in and out of Manitoba on any given year. Inuit settle primarily in Winnipeg, and a significant proportion depend on social programs such as Income Assistance and housing support. A significant number of Inuit children have contact with the Child Welfare System. Our results support the need for more Inuit-centric programming, including family support and language programs.

Author Biographies

Josée G. Lavoie, University of Manitoba

Josée G. Lavoie (PhD, Ongomiizwin Research, University of Manitoba) is the Director of Ongomiizwin Research, and a Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences. She is a former resident of Rankin Inlet, NU. Her ancestry of French from Quebec.

Leah McDonnell, University of Manitoba

Leah Mcdonnell (MA, Ongomiizwin Research, University of Manitoba) is the project coordinator for the Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study, and a PhD student with the Peace & Conflict program at the University of Manitoba. Her ancestry is Irish Canadian.

Nathan Nickel, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy

Dr. Nickel is an applied population health scientist. He uses administrative data to conduct policy-focused health outcomes research as well as research into the organization of the healthcare system. Specifically, Nathan’s research interests centre on examining how the social and structural determinants impact population health and health inequities.

Wayne Clark, University of Alberta

Wayne Clark (PhD, Executive Director, Indigenous Health Initiatives, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta) is the first Inuit man awarded a PhD in Canada. His family ties are to Tikiraqjuaq (Whale Cove) NU. He is a founding member of the Manitoba Inuit Association.

Caroline Anawak, Isumataq Sivuliuqti, Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study

Caroline Anawak (Isumataq Sivuliuqti) has worked for Government, Dene and Inuit Organizations, the private sector and non-government agencies, addressing social, justice, education and health issues in the 47 years she has lived in the north. She currently live in Iqaluit.

Jack Anawak, Isumataq Sivuliuqti, Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study

Jack Anawak (Isumataq Sivuliuqti) is a well-known politician who represented the electoral district of Nunatsiaq in the House of Commons of Canada from 1988 to 1997, and served a term in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut after that territory was created in 1999.

Levinia Brown, Isumataq Sivuliuqti, Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study

Levinia Brown (Isumataq Sivuliuqti) has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Alberta. She served as the mayor of Rankin Inlet in the 1990s, and as an MLA on the Executive Council of Nunavut, where she also served as Deputy Premier.

Grace Clark, Isumataq Sivuliuqti, Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study

Grace Clark (Isumataq Sivuliuqti) was born in Tikiraqjuaq. She lived at Wilson River on her father’s trapline until the age of seven, when she moved to Churchill. She is a founding member of the Manitoba Inuit Association, and currently serves as a board member and Elder.

Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer, Isumataq Sivuliuqti, Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study

Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer (Isumataq Sivuliuqti) was born near Igloolik, lived near Pond Inlet on a traditional camp as a child and grew up in Iqaluit. She moved to Manitoba in the 1980, where she volunteered with different organizations.

Frederick Ford, Isumataq Sivuliuqti, Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study

Frederick Ford (Isumataq Sivuliuqti) was born in Ontario, and lived in Baker Lake for 25 years, where his father was born. He serves as President and Board Chair of the Manitoba Inuit Association, and also holds the position of Chair, Works of Art Committee at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Rachel Dutton, Manitoba Inuit Association

Rachel Dutton (Manitoba Inuit Association) is the Executive director of the Manitoba Inuit Association (since 2008), and a former resident of Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay NU), and has family ties to the Inuit community.

Alan Katz, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy

Alan Katz is the Director of the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and professor in the Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine. He is also the MHRC Chair in Primary Prevention Research. 

Sabrina Wong, University of British Columbia

Dr. Wong’s research examines the organization and delivery of health care services within the context of primary health care. A recognized leader in research involving patient-reported quality of care, her work contributes to informing practice and system level interventions that seek to decrease health inequalities among Canadian residents, including people who face multiple disadvantages in accessing and using the health care system such as those who have language barriers and live in poverty. 

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Published

2022-01-29

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 4 (2021)

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2022 Josée G. Lavoie, Leah Mcdonnell, Nathan Nickel, Wayne Clark, Caroline Anawak, Jack Anawak, Levinia Brown, Grace Clark, Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer, Frederick Ford, Rachel Dutton, Alan Katz, Sabrina Wong

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