Kids Help Phone expands outreach in Inuktitut

An over-the-phone and online service for Canadian children in crisis is expanding its Inuktitut programming and content.

Billie Barnes, who is originally from Iqaluit and lives in eastern Ontario, is the Kids Help Phone Inuit engagement co-ordinator. She was in Iqaluit for Nunavut Day to promote the organization’s new material for its Brighter Days Indigenous wellness program.

“This is the first time Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun have been available for our Brighter Days program,” Barnes said in an interview.

Brighter Days is managed by Raven Gunner, a Cree originally from Moose Factory, Ont., who joined Barnes in Iqaluit for Nunavut Day. They had a table set up on the Nakasuk School grounds where they talked to visitors about their services, handed out Inuktitut material and gave kids temporary tattoos and shoe charms for Crocs.

“Being in community really helps give perspective on all of Billie’s advocacy and the work that we do,” Gunner said. “Meeting all these friends, family, community members, how close everybody is, and how much the work is really needed, too.”

Barnes was in Kuujjuaq in January to produce videos in Nunavimmiutitut, the Nunavik dialect of Inuktut, with help from Tumiit Media and local youth. She said she has consulted with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s suicide prevention working group and Inuit across the North.

“I’ve got guidance as to what Inuit want, from their perspective,” Barnes said. “The direction really came from there, and they said that if Inuit are going to access this help, it needs to be available in their language.”

The videos and online material help to supplement support Kids Help Phone was already providing to Inuit through Inuktitut-speaking volunteers who are available to chat online or by phone, 24 hours a day, every day.

“One of our specialists will speak virtually with young people,” Gunner said. “Modules are introduced to youth through Indigenous influencers, like [former NHL player] Jordin Tootoo, where they speak about their own experiences and encourage young people to reach out for help and support.”

The organization is also helping Inuit social workers complete the volunteer work required to complete their education.

“We are working on creating a mentorship program where Indigenous social work students can get their placement hours through Kids Help Phone and crisis response,” Gunner said. “This way, they also don’t have to leave their communities if they’d like to stay in community and get their practicum.”

The Kids Help Phone is accessible online at www.kidshelphone.ca, by downloading the free Kids Help Phone app, and by calling, toll free, 1-800-668-6868. Callers can press 3 for Indigenous-specific support.