Supporting the development of Inuit children in urban environments: What are the needs of Inuit families living in southern Québec?

Abstract

Objectives: Canadian Inuit children present more developmental vulnerabilities than other non-Indigenous children. Supporting the development of these children is therefore essential, especially in urban environments where the Inuit population is growing. This study aimed to identify the main resources used by Inuit families living in urban environments of southern Québec, (Canada) and to better understand their needs related to supporting the healthy development of their children.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 13 self-identified Inuit parents of at least one child aged 0 to 18 living in southern Québec.

Results: The study revealed that urban Inuit families primarily require support to meet their basic needs, ensure a safe family environment, promote their children's health, education, and socialization, foster the transmission of Inuit cultural and linguistic heritage, and, finally, enhance access to a culturally safe social environment. The study also revealed that despite living closer to a variety of resources intended to support their children's healthy development, families encounter significant barriers in accessing these resources. Moreover, families have specific needs that are often not adequately addressed by the resources currently available.

Conclusion: The study highlighted that the needs of Inuit families extend well beyond support for skills acquisition in the various developmental domains. Supporting the healthy development of Inuit children therefore requires a coherent and intensive response to families' most urgent needs. In the light of such findings, there is a clear need to improve access to existing resources, as well as to develop Inuit-led services that are adapted to realities and specific needs of the families.