Inuit Parenting: Greenland & Nunavut Bridge Traditions

A collaborative project between Inuit in Greenland and Nunavut is revitalizing traditional parenting practices. Regine Dahl Thorleifsen Kajusen, from Greenland's MANU program, noted the strong similarities in storytelling and values with Inuit in Nunavut. She aims to embed Inuit knowledge systems more deeply into the Greenlandic program, which was initially developed by a Danish firm.

The Naapinneq project facilitates workshops where maternal and child health workers share Inuit approaches to parenting, healing, and wellness. A key focus is Inunnguiniq, a Nunavut program built on Inuit wisdom and elder guidance, which translates to 'making a capable human being.' This contrasts with MANU's more centralized development.

Inuit elders and communities were integral to developing Inunnguiniq, grounding it in "Inuit ways of knowing and doing." This initiative also seeks to address the colonial disruptions that interrupted the transmission of Inuit parenting knowledge across generations. Such disruptions occurred due to factors like residential schools and forced medical treatments.

The project highlights the importance of preserving and sharing cultural knowledge, which can be an emotional "process of self-discovery" for participants. It also addresses the inhumane practice of requiring pregnant women to leave their communities for childbirth, advocating for the inclusion of culturally sensitive support workers in healthcare settings.

Future exchanges and research collaborations are planned to ensure younger generations remain connected to Inuit language, values, and ways of life. Organizers hope these teachings will be more widely integrated into schools and healthcare systems across the North, fostering individual and collective well-being.