Submission ID 131880
| Issue/Objective | Nunavimmiut have land-based understandings of safe services and have insisted on research self-determination, done by, for and with Inuit. Efforts in designing research are required to prevent the perpetuation of health inequities, particularly when involving non-Inuit organizations, and even more, Inuit with reduced autonomy. The Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre invited a collaboration in clarifying cultural safety in the Isurrivik Centre. We present the co-design process of a protocol for evaluating cultural safety of services for adult Inuit with reduced autonomy. |
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| Methodology/Approach | The protocol co-design took place from December 2024 to April 2025 in Kuujjuaq, Montreal and online settings. It engaged the UTHC Senior Advisor for Living Environments, an Inuk researcher who is a Senior Advisor in Inuit culture, the two Isurrivik caregivers, and a researcher from the Participatory Research at McGill. To systematize the process, the first and second authors reviewed and discussed research journal, correspondence and digital files used in online discussions. |
| Results | The co-designing process was grounded in relationship building and respect for community dynamics. It involved a) consolidating the partnership and research team, b) aligning objectives and crafting the protocol, c) discussing and selecting research methods, d) adjusting and piloting instruments to maximize participation of Inuit with limited autonomy, and e) planning results dissemination. The approved protocol responds to local priorities, recognizes local expertise and enables person-centred adaptations to residents' capacities. Reciprocal knowledge exchange allowed the non-Inuit researcher to learn from Inuit values and knowledge, and Inuit researcher to learn participatory methods. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Participatory research promotes community engagement in knowledge production and use, affirming self-determination in health decision-making from the start. Lessons learned from co-designing research protocols are useful for context-led health research and promoting authentic participation of people labelled as disabled. As stated in Nunavik´s Integrated Plan for Research Management, good relationships should be a guiding value to promote healing and rebuild trust in research, as well as to maintain long-term, efficient research partnerships. This takes time. The co-designed protocol has limited inclusion of communities beyond Kuujjuaq. The project will involve residents, service providers, management staff and family members. Results will include a roadmap for implementing community-driven evaluation of cultural safety from diverse perspectives. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Natalia Reinoso Chávez Department of Family Medicine. McGill University Jeannie May Nunavingmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga Iván Sarmiento Department of Family Medicine. McGill University Minnie Grey Nunavingmi Ilagiit Papatauvinga Chantal Duchesne Ungava Tulattavik Health Center Barbara Helen Wellman Isurrivik - Ungava Tulattavik Health Center William Bilodeau Isurrivik - Ungava Tulattavik Health Center Richard Budgell Department of Family Medicine. McGill University Anne Crockcroft Department of Family Medicine. McGill University Neil Andersson Department of Family Medicine. McGill University |
