The Dynamics of Inuit Social Transformation

This chapter discusses the social–historical background against which Inuit youth have one of the highest suicide rates in the world. It takes a community, cultural, and historical perspective and considers the view that suicide is a symbol of social suffering. The chapter examines the dominant forms of sociocultural change among Inuit during the past several decades. Although White people arrived in the Arctic in the early 20th century as missionaries, police, and a large fur-trading company, the most significant force of change in Inuit history was the moving of Inuit from their land camps into crowded settlements in the 1950s and 1960s. Much of this imperialism/colonialism is discussed, as is hunting, sharing, and schooling.

Resistance and Reclamation

After many years, and for some peoples centuries, of colonial/imperial dispossession of their lives and cultures, indigenous peoples are increasingly gaining momentum in self-determination and collective agency. A spirit is moving, however slowly but strongly, through Indigenous country. It is called indigenism, the international human rights movement for indigenous peoples. This chapter examines how indigenous peoples and Inuit are reclaiming their lives after colonialism. Self-determination and human rights are discussed, as are indigenous social movements. These movements are seen in Canada, the United States, Ecuador, the Philippines, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and other countries. The chapter concludes with a focus on Inuit self-determination, including land claims and self-government.

“The Weight on Our Shoulders Is Too Much, and We Are Falling”

This chapter begins with the suicide of a 16-year-old Inuit youth. There is a focus on Inuit youth suicide and culture change. The role of alcohol and marijuana is discussed, as is how families have been changing. Research throughout the world has found that suicidal youth often come from problematic families, including low levels of family cohesion, parent–child conflict and poor communication, low emotional intimacy, and youth perceptions of family problems. Family has been replaced by new patterns of community, and among Inuit, the most profound changes in the past few decades have been reported in gender roles, the marital relationship, and parent–child relations. Inuit youth began to manifest problems after the establishment of the settlements. Many of these problems are in romantic relationships. Suicides are described that have taken place in Silatuniq, the community that is the focus of this book.

Communities Making a Difference

This chapter discusses how health and well-being have been delivered and managed in the Canadian Arctic, and how delivery and management have moved from the federal to territorial government. The chapter presents what two Inuit communities have done themselves for suicide prevention. Rather than employing evidence-based, Western approaches to suicide prevention in the Arctic that have not worked, when Inuit communities design and operate their own suicide prevention activities and programs, they are effective. Indigenous community control over health and mental health activities and programs has been central to their success. This is a form of collective agency and efficacy. In the primary community of focus, it was youth who designed and managed suicide prevention. These youth are examined in detail.

Pikkunaqtuq and Footsteps into the Future

This chapter examines the challenges faced by Inuit youth today. It reviews approaches that are beneficial to Inuit and indigenous youth. A number of Inuit adults are interviewed about their views of the future of Inuit youth. In addition, the chapter discusses themes that emerged from speaking with Inuit and non-Inuit. Parenting has changed remarkably, and many said that youth and adults should spend more time together and speak more with each other. Today, Inuit youth and adults are basically ignoring each other. Schools and education should be improved, made more relevant to Inuit youth. Inuit culture is also very important for Inuit youth, and they benefit greatly by learning about and practicing their culture.

Colonial Impact on Family and Inuuqatigiingniq/Relatedness

This chapter discusses several major changes in Inuit society during the past half-century. These changes are all related to inuuqatigiingniq, which translates as “being with others,” or relatedness, in Inuit culture. The most negative change is that in Inuit relationships, especially the family. It is the thesis of this book that the effects of colonialism are seen most vividly in relationships, especially in the family, and that these changes among Inuit are the cause of their current social problems, including suicide. Well-being was strongly based on the maintenance of close and loving interpersonal relationships, especially among Inuit in the family. Traditional Inuit family history is presented, showing how family was the basis of social organization and identity. Changes in marital relatedness, as well as traditional Inuit relatedness, are discussed.