Clinical Project “Ilusilirinirmi Pigujjiutinik Qimirruniq''

Presented by: Charlie Nowkawalk & Phillipe-Alexandre Bourgouin

Workshop description: 

For many years since Inuit lost their independence from colonization and assimilation policies, we experienced collective traumas which lead to serious and severe social and criminal problems. There has been many works done to help Inuit but the leadership and decision makers always came from outside. Through Clinical Project Inuit wanted to be the leaders and decision makers throughout the whole process.

We have suffered suicides, addiction and mental illnesses and much more problems for many years. We didn't know how to deal with those complex traumas until we were given an opportunity to study and prioritize areas where we want to work to reduce and mobilize Inuit in Nunavik.

In 2009, ''Le Ministère de la Santé et Services Sociaux'' has given a mandate to Nunavik Regional Board Health and Social Services to review all Nunavik health and social services resources in order to make new recommendations to the provincial government in order to improve future services in Nunavik.

Back in 2010, in Kuujjuaq there were many Inuit and non-Inuit, elders, youth political leaders cultural activist, both hospital managers and board members including regional health board members participated in a one week multi-disciplinary meeting and identified social priorities where they want to work for years to come.

Under clinical project or Ilusilirinirmi Pigujjiutinik Qimirruniq, NRBHSS created advisory committee and working committees. Three regional priorities were identified:

1. Youth in difficulty

2. Addiction

3. Mental Health issues

Under these advisory committees we created three working committees who is mandated to identify problems and discuss on how to solve the problem. For at least three years, multiple meetings took place all over Nunavik and finally we have come up with recommendations which we deposited to NRBHSS board of directors, all has been approved and supported.

We will be sharing all the steps and all recommendations that were created under clinical project in Nunavik. Many were involved in creating these recommendations, we still have a lot of work to do but we worked on a major part and hope to improve life situation of Nunavimiiut.