Aajiiqatigiingniq: An Inuit Consensus Methodology in Qualitative Health Research

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge and approaches to health research have historically been marginalized by Western traditions. Efforts to overcome this marginalization by recognizing Indigenous methodologies as a distinctive form of inquiry are gathering momentum. Health research that seeks to establish levels of agreement about disputed or conceptually unclear subjects frequently relies on consensus methods. Aajiiqatigiingniq is a principle of cultural knowledge and a consensus decision-making approach among Inuit in the Canadian Arctic. We used group meetings and individual interviews involving Inuit elders and other senior community members in Arviat, Nunavut, to explore and describe aajiiqatigiingniq as an appropriate and ethical methodology in qualitative health research. Findings reveal a systematic but apparently informal approach focused on sustained individual and community well-being. Consensus is achieved through the successive addition of group members, respectful communication, mainly narrative discourse, subjective personal engagement, and an unhurried meeting style. While previous research has used Western consensus methods to embed Inuit knowledge in health research, this study provides a first descriptive account of a wholly Inuit consensus methodology.

Understanding culturally safe cancer survivorship care with inuit in an urban community

“…The Piliriqatigiinniq Model is underpinned by 5 core Inuit concepts and emphasises collaborative knowledge production, reflecting the relational nature of Inuit Ways of Knowing. Further still, Ferrazzi et al [ 69 ] describe the Aajiiqatigiingniq consensus approach, one of the IQ guiding principles, as a “wholly Inuit research methodology” (p. 3). In this approach, data is analysed in conventional Western qualitative approaches (i.e.…”

“…In this approach, data is analysed in conventional Western qualitative approaches (i.e. content/thematic analysis and discourse analysis) in conjunction with an Inuit comprehension and analysis of both the conduct of data collection and the results [ 69 ]. Through the process of Aajiiqatigiingniq , critical reflective dialogue brings these two conceptualisations together through consensus [ 69 ].…”

Qanuq ukua kanguit sunialiqpitigu?(What should we do with all of these geese?) Collaborative research to support wildlife co-management and Inuit self-determination

“…Through an iterative process rooted in dialogue among PMC members, light goose management recommendations formulated by 41 community members were summarized into five key recommendations that were presented for discussion at a regional workshop. To identify these select recommendations, PMC members employed a consensus-based approach inspired by aajiiqatigiingniq (Ferrazzi et al 2019;Arviani Aqqiumavvik Society n.d.), and designed to be as inclusive as possible given the constraints of research operating within certain time, financial, and capacity limitations. For example, this meant that the only community recommendations that were dismissed by PMC members for inclusion into their final list of key recommendations were the ones that did not respect important IQ principles relating to wildlife (such as not wasting animals).…”

“…In this paper, we employ the term "Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit" to refer to Inuit perspectives documented through this study, as well as to principles that guided the research process. Aajiiqatigiingniq is an essential component of IQ; it is a method for reaching consensus wherein solutions to issues faced by the collective are sought (Ferrazzi et al 2019). In all research phases (inception through dissemination), we were guided by aajiiqatigiingniq.…”

The determinants of planetary health: an Indigenous consensus perspective

“…25 Consensus development panels can be adapted to suit the long-standing traditions within many Indigenous communities that utilise some form of consensus method in leadership and governance. 26,27 In this Personal view, we refer to the adapted consensus development panel as an Indigenous consensus process to differentiate it from other standard definitions and methods.…”