Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis

Aajiiqatigiingniq is an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle used to discuss serious topics and come to consensus around decision-making. In working with Elders on community research issues, the Aqqiumavvik Society in Arviat, Nunavut developed the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology (ARM) as a parti...

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Main Authors: Natalie Ann Carter, Shirley Tagalik, Gita Ljubicic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Arctic Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/as-2023-0057
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author Natalie Ann Carter
Shirley Tagalik
Gita Ljubicic
author_facet Natalie Ann Carter
Shirley Tagalik
Gita Ljubicic
author_sort Natalie Ann Carter
collection DOAJ
description Aajiiqatigiingniq is an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle used to discuss serious topics and come to consensus around decision-making. In working with Elders on community research issues, the Aqqiumavvik Society in Arviat, Nunavut developed the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology (ARM) as a participatory and fully inclusive Inuit research approach. We followed the ARM in establishing partnerships, and developing and facilitating a survey, to learn how Nunavut community members use and share available weather, water, ice, and climate information. The ARM guided our 5-year research process involving 19 Local Research Coordinators, along with 13 Nunavut-based, eight university, and three federal government collaborators. Through community research leadership and connecting long-term partnerships, we worked in eight Nunavut communities. In this paper, we present the opportunities and challenges of putting the ARM into practice through four research stages: (1) building relationships; (2) building shared understanding; (3) knowledge sharing; and (4) collaborative analysis. In this process, we have come to recognize our strength in connection, Local Research Coordinators as Highly Qualified Personnel, the four Rs of collaborative analysis, and the challenges of hurdling institutions. We share our approach and lessons learned to contribute to ongoing efforts and dialogue around decolonizing research and enhancing Inuit self-determination in research.
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spelling doaj-art-c93e7554a74f476ba9a3aa6978f2f0492025-02-06T20:55:15ZengCanadian Science PublishingArctic Science2368-74602025-01-011113310.1139/as-2023-0057Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysisNatalie Ann Carter0Shirley Tagalik1Gita Ljubicic2McMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaAqqiumavvik Society, Arviat, CanadaMcMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaAajiiqatigiingniq is an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle used to discuss serious topics and come to consensus around decision-making. In working with Elders on community research issues, the Aqqiumavvik Society in Arviat, Nunavut developed the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology (ARM) as a participatory and fully inclusive Inuit research approach. We followed the ARM in establishing partnerships, and developing and facilitating a survey, to learn how Nunavut community members use and share available weather, water, ice, and climate information. The ARM guided our 5-year research process involving 19 Local Research Coordinators, along with 13 Nunavut-based, eight university, and three federal government collaborators. Through community research leadership and connecting long-term partnerships, we worked in eight Nunavut communities. In this paper, we present the opportunities and challenges of putting the ARM into practice through four research stages: (1) building relationships; (2) building shared understanding; (3) knowledge sharing; and (4) collaborative analysis. In this process, we have come to recognize our strength in connection, Local Research Coordinators as Highly Qualified Personnel, the four Rs of collaborative analysis, and the challenges of hurdling institutions. We share our approach and lessons learned to contribute to ongoing efforts and dialogue around decolonizing research and enhancing Inuit self-determination in research.https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/as-2023-0057Inuit research methodologyNunavutsurvey methodsconsensus-buildingreconciliation
spellingShingle Natalie Ann Carter
Shirley Tagalik
Gita Ljubicic
Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis
Arctic Science
Inuit research methodology
Nunavut
survey methods
consensus-building
reconciliation
title Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis
title_full Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis
title_fullStr Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis
title_full_unstemmed Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis
title_short Applying the Aajiiqatigiingniq Research Methodology: approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis
title_sort applying the aajiiqatigiingniq research methodology approaches and lessons learned through collaborative survey development and analysis
topic Inuit research methodology
Nunavut
survey methods
consensus-building
reconciliation
url https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/as-2023-0057
work_keys_str_mv AT natalieanncarter applyingtheaajiiqatigiingniqresearchmethodologyapproachesandlessonslearnedthroughcollaborativesurveydevelopmentandanalysis
AT shirleytagalik applyingtheaajiiqatigiingniqresearchmethodologyapproachesandlessonslearnedthroughcollaborativesurveydevelopmentandanalysis
AT gitaljubicic applyingtheaajiiqatigiingniqresearchmethodologyapproachesandlessonslearnedthroughcollaborativesurveydevelopmentandanalysis