Letter | We need action to support our Nunavut youth and their well-being
Food insecurity linked with mental health outcomes
Health Minister John Main, left, and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. vice-president Paul Irngaut speak to reporters in Iqaluit on June 25 about the two parties “reaffirming” Nunavut is in a “suicide crisis.” (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
While statistics paint a sobering picture, our communities possess the wisdom and resilience to forge meaningful solutions
Gwen K. Healey Akearok
The March 2025 auditor general follow-up report on child and family services revealed that while initial steps have been taken, progress remains insufficient.
Though the Government of Nunavut allocated $3.1 million for 31 new family services positions and invested $1.1 million to expand Nunavut Arctic College’s social worker program, the auditor general expressed disappointment that changes haven’t made enough difference.
Food security presents another critical challenge. Current data shows 76 per cent of Inuit households in Nunavut report food insecurity, compared to less than 16 per cent in the rest of Canada.
Most concerning, 76 per cent of Nunavut’s children live in food-insecure households, with 49.5 per cent experiencing severe food insecurity — more than quadruple the national average of 12.7 per cent.
These challenges are interconnected, and so are the solutions. Food insecurity affects mental health, educational outcomes, and overall well-being. Within these statistics lie opportunities for targeted, culturally grounded solutions informed by Inuit knowledge systems that recognize the holistic nature of health and wellness.
Research demonstrates that evidence-based, community-driven models for youth mental health interventions hold extraordinary promise.
Programs that incorporate Inuit concepts like Inuuqatigiittiarniq (compassion and shared humanity), Pilimmaqsarniq (developing skills through practice), and relationships to the land show significant positive impacts on participants’ wellness.
The Eight Ujarait (Rocks) Model, developed through community engagement across Nunavut, provides an evidence-based approach rooted in Inuit knowledge. This model’s eight components focus on building positive protective factors in youth, offering a comprehensive framework already proven effective.
Hundreds of youths participating in programs based on this model have demonstrated measurable positive impacts on their social-emotional wellbeing.
Investment in local human resources remains crucial and should be guided by these proven models. Land-based programming, mentorship connecting youth with elders, and culturally grounded mental health interventions are evidence-based approaches lacking continuous funding and infrastructure.
Programs combining nutritious meals with Inuit knowledge address multiple needs while strengthening cultural identity and resilience.
While statistics are daunting, they represent our neighbours, children, and relatives. Each number is a person deserving hope, support, and opportunity. Our youth are future leaders, knowledge keepers, and community builders. They deserve our collective commitment to create conditions where they can thrive. The time for incremental change has passed; bold, sustained action is required.
Dr. Gwen K. Healey Akearok, PhD was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut where she continues to live, work, and raise her family. She is the co-founder of the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre and has served as its Executive & Scientific Director for the past 19 years.
Sure each community has or tried having Youth Centre’s, why isn’t there anymore Youth Groups? Growing up when we were still all NWT, almost every town had a youth group, and some would travel to other communities. I know travel is pricey now, but some of our leaders today came from youth groups, Implement something like again, all kids felt like we were part of something in our community growing with those activities. Kids don’t have much to do and look forward to these days cause everything cost money, but not making a youth group, sure some start funds, but get them to learn to fundraise and make money. Miss those days.
I so agree with you Mr. Moses! In the 70’s we had community, we had closeness and we had travel that took us away from the humdrum. We and the kids need to get out of the communities and experience other people and places so we see the world from another perspective. insite benefits from outreach.
Growing up in Nunavut, I saw dedicated and caring people who made the time for our young people in programs such as Air Cadets, Girl Guides and Brownies. I believe there is still an Air Cadet program in Nunavut. In these programs, Girl Guides prepared girls to meet the life challenges thereon, and the program, girls learnt to bandage wounds or girls today working on their anti-bullying badge. Guiding the girls continually evolved in reflecting the needs and interests of girls becoming women. In the program, girls became confident, courageous and resourceful leaders. Yes, there will be challenges, but these programs instilled in us. It’s going to take determination and dedication to have or see the dire need to help our young people.
Brownies was another program, unfortunately it is no longer recognized to carry through for various reasons. Air Cadets was another program, which allowed us to travel places to further our training. It was an eye-opener, especially a culture shock. Living in an isolated community had broadened my view of taking on life’s challenges ahead of me.
Also, I believe having an after school program or put in place of education is important because that is where it begins, young students becoming adults. At least it’ll give the students an opportunity to work with something until they’ve reached adulthood.
I am willing to take on the challenge and visit the Nunavut schools and speak with the students and get their ideas of what programs they would like to see in their community.
Koana. 😊
The second such letter from Dr Gwen in less than 6 weeks. Either QHRC is in financial distress or she is gearing up for a political campaign.
You nailed it. She’s running for mla
I wish the author would divert more energy and space toward the more tangible ideas that are teased at here, and less time dazzling readers with spectacle around mysterious “knowledge systems” which, unless fleshed out, leave us with very little to chew on and no apparent correspondence to the real world.
Back in the day, I was occasionally a substitute teacher.
One class I subbed at, a teen (15/16)
said….”I can’t wait to go jail.”
I asked, “Why do you want to go to jail?”
Student replied,,,”So that I can eat every day and watch cable.”
Gwen Healey Akearok, let’s pretend that today is November 1, 2025. The GN election is over and the Legislative Assembly has elected Nunavut’s new Premier. Let’s also pretend that that Premier has just appointed you as Nunavut’s new Minister of Health. That could happen, even if you are not an MLA.
What is the specific set of programs that you want the Legislative Assembly to approve? With what budget? Step by step, how do you lead us from where we are to where we should be?
If most of the MLA candidates agree with your program, those who do get elected could make it happen. But the first step is, they need to know what specifically you propose.
We have so many highly paid Northern and Southern experts who are supposed to be
organizing youth or cooking programs. Are they unaccountable?
What is going on.
thank you john and paul.