Unikkaartuit: Meanings of Well-Being, Sadness, Suicide, and Change in two Inuit Communities. Final Report to the National Health Research and Development Programs (Draft)

This study was designed as participatory action research examining the meanings of wellness, happiness, health, healing, unhappiness & suicide among Inuit in 2 Nunavut communities. At the time of the study, in 1 community suicide rates were rising, but in the other there was a recent decline. Also examined were Inuit experiences of recent general changes & changes related to suicide in their communities, as well as changes expected with the advent of Nunavut as an independent territory. This study was conducted to identify local, Inuit meanings of suicide & well-being that could be used toward future suicide prevention & wellness planning in the North. (70 refs)