Scientific publications predominantly focus on research outcomes. Increasingly, community partnerships and relationships are mentioned, especially in research conducted with Indigenous communities. In partnership-based research, Indigenous communities expect researchers to contribute in a multitude of ways that go beyond doing research . This article reports on a series of unforeseen, yet positive contributions realised in the Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study, undertaken between 2015 and 2021. These contributions are different from the main outcomes of the study. Salient unforeseen benefits included the strengthening of the Manitoba Inuit community through hosting community feasts, games, and virtual events; creating opportunities to increase the visibility of Inuit Elders at University public events; supporting the growth of the Manitoba Inuit Association in terms of staff, programmes, and presence at provincial policy tables; leveraging relationships towards the development of Inuit-centric primary healthcare services in Winnipeg; creating a method to identify Inuit in provincial administrative datasets which were used to track COVID-19 infection rates and ensure equity in access to testing and vaccines. As a result, the Manitoba Inuit Association’s visibility has increased, and Inuit Elders have become essential contributors of Indigenous knowledge at Manitoba-based events, as First Nations and Metis have been for decades. This transformation appears to be sustainable.

No abstract

Manitoba is home to approximately 1,500 Inuit, and sees 16,000 consults yearly from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut to access services. The purpose of our study was to develop detailed profiles of Inuit accessing services in Manitoba, by using administrative data routinely collected by Manitoban agencies, to support the development of Inuit-centric services. This study was conducted in partnership with the Manitoba Inuit Association, and Inuit Elders from Nunavut and Manitoba. Findings shows that the Inuit community living in Manitoba is fairly stable, with only approximately 5 percent of Inuit moving in and out of Manitoba on any given year. Inuit settle primarily in Winnipeg, and a significant proportion depend on social programs such as Income Assistance and housing support. A significant number of Inuit children have contact with the Child Welfare System. Our results support the need for more Inuit-centric programming, including family support and language programs.

No abstract

Background The Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study aimed to develop detailed profiles of Inuit health service utilization in Manitoba, by Inuit living in Manitoba (approximately 1,500) and by Inuit from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut who travel to Manitoba to access care not available in Nunavut (approximately 16,000 per year). Methods We used health administrative data routinely collected in Manitoba for all services provided and developed an algorithm to identify Inuit in the dataset. This paper focused on health services used by Inuit from the Kivalliq for prenatal care and birthing. Results Our study found that approximately 80 percent of births to women from the Kivalliq region occur in Manitoba, primarily in Winnipeg. When perinatal care and birthing are combined, they constitute one third of all consults happening by Kivalliq residents in Manitoba. For scale, hospitalizations for childbirths to Kivalliq women about to only 5 percent of all childbirth-related hospitalizations in Manitoba. Conclusions The practice of evacuating women from the Kivalliq for perinatal care and birthing is rooted in colonialism, rationalized as ensuring that women whose pregnancy is at high risk have access to specialized care not available in Nunavut. While defendable, this practice is costly, and does not provide Inuit women a choice as to where to birth. Attempts at relocating birthing to the north have proven complex to operationalize. Given this, there is an urgent need to develop Inuit-centric and culturally appropriate perinatal and birthing care in Manitoba.