The Inuit Holistic service delivery model: a decolonised approach to community wellness in Nunavut

Abstract

This paper examines the development and implementation of the Inuit Holistic Service Delivery Model, designed by Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre and currently being piloted through the Inuusirvik Community Wellness Hub in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The model represents a paradigm shift away from siloed Western service delivery frameworks towards an integrated approach grounded in Inuit epistemology, language, and cultural practices. Drawing on Indigenous methodologies and community-based approaches, this paper articulates how the model’s eight interconnected components create a comprehensive wellness system that honours Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit knowledge) while addressing contemporary community needs. The innovative approach offers valuable insights for other jurisdictions seeking to decolonise service delivery systems and develop culturally responsive alternatives. This paper contributes to growing scholarship on Arctic Indigenous health and wellness frameworks by demonstrating how the Inuit Holistic Service Delivery Model deserves recognition in academic discourse as a unique and innovative approach to community wellbeing.