Grant: Fellowship - PA: First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Health

Violence is a common experience for many Inuit youth, and so is self-violence/self-harm (such as cutting, binge drinking, suicide). Research shows that physical or sexual abuse in childhood is a risk factor for self-harm later in life. The experience or witnessing of ongoing sexual and physical violence can predispose individuals to substance abuse, low self-esteem, mental and physical health issues, and to themselves becoming perpetrators of violence. Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is the national organization representing Inuit women in Canada. Pauktuutit chose Inuit youth, violence and health as a research priority, with a view to use the research results to create a health promotion outreach campaign to Inuit youth on this issue. The project is guided by an Inuit advisory team from beginning to end. This means Inuit organizations, elders and youth will have substantial input into the research plan, research instruments, recruitment of participants, interview techniques, analysis and dissemination of results, and the use of the results in designing a health promotion outreach campaign. Forty male and female Inuit in Ottawa between the ages of 18 and 21 will be interviewed to document past experience of violence; health and other effects of violence; family history; awareness of messages about violence; social networks; awareness of help available; experience of help available; coping mechanisms for experiencing and witnessing violence; use of social media; and ideas about what kinds of social media messages could get positive messages to Inuit youth, specifically about ending violence and seeking help for violence. Sex and gender differences in responses will be noted and this information used in designing different social media strategies to reach females and males if necessary.