Culturally Appropriate Care – A Multicultural Task: Assessing the Needs of Inuit Youth in the Care of Child Welfare Services
Fraser, S. L.,;Rousseau, C.; Kasudluak, R.; Burmester, P.; Arauz, M. J (2015)
International Journal of Indigenous Health
9(2) | pp. 38-49
Over 30% of children in Nunavik have been reported to child welfare services by professionals, community workers, and/or community members due to possible need of protection, according to a recent report that identifed important gaps in the system of care for Inuit youth in Nunavik (Sirois & Montminy, 2010). The objective of this qualitative study was to assess the perspectives of various actors regarding the needs of Inuit youth living in a residential facility in Montreal. Our methods included non-participant observation;
semi-structured interviews with youth, residential staf, therapists, and a culture broker; and video production with youth. Adopting a systemic approach, we discuss how the various perspectives converge and diverge and the place that is given to culture in the discourses.
We conclude that developing culturally appropriate care for Inuit youth in the care of child welfare is a multicultural task, as it involves multiple groups of individuals infuenced by their professional and personal cultures. We suggest the merging of perspectives as a potential for creating innovative practices that are culturally sensitive.