The relationship between Inuit and the research community is replete with examples of exploitation and racism. Research has largely functioned as a tool of colonialism, with the earliest scientific forays into Inuit Nunangat serving as precursors for the expansion of Canadian sovereignty and the dehumanization of Inuit.
Inuit in Canada are among the most studied Indigenous peoples on earth. The primary beneficiaries of Inuit Nunangat research continue to be researchers themselves, in the form of access to funding, data and information, research outcomes, and career advancement. Inuit remain largely marginalized from research governing bodies and in turn from experiencing the benefits of research.
The National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR) identifies five priority areas in which coordinated action is necessary to facilitate Inuit Nunangat research that is efficacious, impactful, and meaningful to Inuit. It identifies practical steps to advance Inuit self- determination in research as the means for fostering respectful and beneficial research that serves the needs and priorities of Inuit.
Priority Area 1: Advance Inuit governance in research
Objectives
- Achieve greater Inuit representation and decision-making in research governance, including the Tri-Council Agencies
- Reform research-related legislative, regulatory, and policy mechanisms impacting Inuit Nunangat
- Advance Inuit research priorities through Inuit Nunangat research governance bodies
- Ensure Inuit self-determination in establishing research governance bodies, including selection processes
- Establish accountable, coordinated, and transparent approaches to Inuit Nunangat research
Priority Area 2: Enhance the ethical conduct of research
Objectives
- Hold institutions accountable for adhering to existing ethical research guidelines
- Develop Inuit-specific ethical research guidelines for all Inuit Nunangat research
- Create transparency in the review and oversight of research in Inuit Nunangat
- Broker Inuit partnerships with Research Ethics Boards
Priority Area 3: Align funding with Inuit research priorities
Objectives
- Inuit Nunangat research funding reflects Inuit research priorities
- Enable research led by Inuit
- Ensure transparency, coordination, and accountability in the resourcing of Inuit Nunangat research
Priority Area 4: Ensure Inuit access, ownership, and control over data and information
OBJECTIVES
- Advance Inuit self-determination in collecting, verifying, analyzing, and disseminating Inuit-specific data and information
- Invest in Inuit-led data and information technology and infrastructure
- Ensure ownership of Inuit data by Inuit-appointed entities
- Utilization of Inuktut (the Inuit language) in data platforms and information
Priority Area 5: Build capacity in Inuit Nunangat research
Objectives
- Build human resource capacity in Inuit regions and communities to facilitate Inuit-led research
- Establish an Inuit Nunangat university
- Enhance built Inuit Nunangat research infrastructure
https://www.itk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/National-Inuit-Strategy-on-Research.pdf