Inuit individuals live in diverse communities across Canada and may face social and economic challenges – including securing appropriate work in rural or remote communities. Tailoring career strategies to local realities, and to an individual’s unique needs and strengths, is vital to providing effective career support. Here are resources to help career practitioners working with Inuit clients.
This article is part of a five-part CareerWise series on “Indigenizing Career Development.” For more on this topic, check out the FREE recordings from a recent CERIC webinar series on “Global Perspectives in Career Development: Empowering Your Inclusive Practice Through Indigenous Knowledge and Worldviews.”
Build your career (Government of Canada) [Program]
Education and training opportunities to support personal development and career advancement for Nunavut Inuit employees with the Government of Canada in Nunavut.
Inuit Women in Business Network (Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada) [Network]
The network aims to connect Inuit women across Inuit Nunangat who own a business or are interested in starting. It assists all Inuit businesswomen at any stage of business development by finding mentors, providing easy-to-read resources and offering an encouraging community.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) [Organization]
ITK’s mission is to serve as a national voice protecting and advancing the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada. Their work includes research, advocacy, public outreach and education on the issues affecting the Inuit population.
Economic/Business Development Programs (Kivalliq Inuit Association) [Program]
The Kivalliq Inuit Association believes in developing healthy communities by increasing their economic capacity through enhancement services and support programs for the business community in the Kivalliq. This includes providing funding opportunities for businesses and summer work experience for youth.
Education, Training & Employment Programs (NunatuKavut) [Program]
The NunatuKavut Community Council has several employment and skills development programs. Their Employment Transition Fund is designed to move clients to pursue a career that meets their interests, salary expectations and labour market priorities.
Employment Services (Tungasuvvingat Inuit) [Program]
The Employment Team assists unemployed and underemployed Inuit with career counselling, job search and training opportunities that will lead to meaningful employment.
Reference Guide for Career Development Counsellors Working with Inuit Clients (Regroupement québécois des organismes pour le développement de l’employabilité & CERIC) [Book]
This guide was developed by the Regroupement québécois des organismes pour le développement de l’employabilité (RQuODE) with support from the Kativik Regional Government and CERIC. Its goal is to help career practitioners support Inuit clients as much as possible. The guide does not propose a specific intervention plan or strategy. Instead, it provides guidelines and encourages counsellors to select and tailor strategies based on local realities, particular needs and strengths of the client.
A related article published by CERIC and written by Gabrielle St-Cyr of (RQuODE) examines “A cultural approach for career development among the Inuit.”
Additional resources
- First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program
- First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program
- First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives
