Initiating conversations around masculinity, relationships, and community
Building from the success of the preceding project Engaging Men and Boys in Reducing Violence Against Women and Girls, an idea was developed to build a Parenting Life Skills program for young men and boys, in partnership with Inuit subject matter experts and local facilitators to direct the focus towards teaching parenting skills and the benefits of healthy relationships using relevant cultural programming. With the inclusion to focus on and celebrate Inuit traditions and pride in one’s community, by including Inuit-specific activities within the frameworks of the project deliverables.
Funded by The Department of Women and Gender Equality, and Indigenous Services Canada, Engaging Young Men and Boys: Challenging Gender Norms in Addressing Gender-based Violence’ (EYMB) initiates conversations with young men around masculinity, relationships, community, and violence as it relates to raising healthy and happy children. In the form of a 4-day workshop, Inuit young men and boys will learn Inuit approaches to understanding skills, knowledge, motivation for a traditional life, and parenting skills, from a model based on Inuit ways of knowing.
Ajuqiqtuq Parenting Life Skills workshop
Ajuqiqtuq Parenting Life Skills workshop is culturally specific and respects the parenting styles and needs of raising Inuit children. The focus is to provide healthy relationship building tools to young men and boys so when the time comes, they may raise confident, capable, and proud Inuit children.
The structure of the workshop is rooted in the following Life Skills topics:
- Learning of Character, Conscience, and Inuit Values
- Fostering Self-Esteem
- Youth Bonding and Learning about Resilience and its Importance for Child Development
- Encouraging Emotional Growth
- Coping with Daily Stress & Frustrations
- Balancing Work and Family Life
- Land-based Activities to Teach About Dealing with Crisis and Trauma
- The Importance of Learning Through Play
The significance of young men and boys’ methods and approaches is to establish a deep engagement at the community level, and to highlight the importance of collective voice by establishing and supporting small peer groups for community members. The critical need for a locally driven approach versus a ‘one size fits all’ approach was the prerogative of the EYMB project and the need to engage young men in the work to change the broader social norms and structures that contribute to harmful gender stereotypes, contribute to inequality, and fuel gender-based violence.
Ulukhaktok, NWT – Held on February 7th-10th 2024 at Ulukhaktok Community Hall. Local Facilitators: Joshua Oliktoak, Allen Pogotak (Elder), and Lucas Kitekudlak (Youth)
Ajuqiqtuq Parenting Life Skills Toolkit
Ajuqiqtuq Parenting Life Skills Toolkit was developed to articulate and reinforce the benefits of preparing young Inuit men and boys to understand the skills needed to communicate and maintain healthy relationships, to learn about the importance of managing anger and stress, and to understand the value of accepting gender and sexual diversity among Inuit. Together, this knowledge will help young fathers discover practical coping skills to help them positively manage the stress and frustration that can come with parenting.
The toolkit also offers practical information on life skills grounded in Inuit Quajimajatuqangit, interpersonal communication skills in promoting gender equality and providing care and support in efforts to prevent gender-based violence. The toolkit also covers Inuit games and land-based activities for youth bonding and learning about resilience. The tools and activities provided may be adapted and utilized by other organizations, in addition to offering guidance on advocacy, needs assessment, and monitoring related efforts to engage Inuit young men and boys.
The purpose of the Ajuqiqtuq Toolkit was created to:
- Provide guidance to plan and facilitate a Parenting Life Skills Workshop for young Inuit men and boys;
- Share the ever-growing body of Inuit knowledge on mental and emotional life skills, healing, and Inuit parenting; and
- Contribute to healthy families.