Grant: Project Grant

Inuit youth in Nunavik experience some of the highest rates of suicide globally - a crisis rooted in colonisation: forced displacement, the destruction of land-based life, and the rupture of cultural and family ties across generations. Existing programs, not designed with or for Inuit communities, are insufficient to address the drivers of this crisis. Inuit Youth Futures (IYF) was co-designed with Elders, artists, and youth in Inukjuak. It offers youth aged 12-21 experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours a five-month arts-based program - artmaking, skill-building, cultural connection, and peer and Elder support - grounded in Inuit values and ways of knowing. This study will conduct a developmental evaluation with formative components of IYF over four years, following 12 groups of 6-8 youth (up to 96 total). We ask: what changes for youth, in their own words; how and why; and how IYF can be delivered safely and sustainably. Youth define meaningful change using Most Significant Change storytelling. We also track suicidality and wellbeing up to one year post-program. Knowledge belongs to the community. Findings feed back into the program throughout delivery. Beyond conferences and papers, we will share results in forms communities can use: plain-language summaries, youth co-created policy briefs, radio pieces, and a youth-led art exhibition. The evidence will sustain IYF, support responsible adaptation elsewhere, and mobilise long-term funding. The program is ready. The community believes in it. This study makes sure the evidence does too.