Our research, publications, and position statements
The National Disability Knowledge Forum is committed to advancing disability knowledge that reflects Inuit realities, lived experience, and community priorities.
Our research explores issues affecting Inuit and Northern communities, including accessibility, caregiving, inclusion, participation, housing, employment, policy development, community wellbeing, and the broader social conditions that shape experiences of disability. Through research, knowledge exchange, and community engagement, we seek to strengthen understanding, support evidence-informed decision-making, and ensure Inuit perspectives are represented in conversations that shape disability policy and systems across Canada.
The Forum emerged from the research and knowledge development work of Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society (NDMS). As a result, our publication library includes foundational reports developed through NDMS as well as future publications produced directly by the National Disability Knowledge Forum.
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Community Engagement
This research explores the experiences of Inuit women and girls affected by gender-based violence. Grounded in community perspectives and lived experience, the report examines barriers, supports, and opportunities for strengthening safety, wellbeing, and healing while contributing to broader conversations about violence prevention and community-led responses.
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Accessibility
This report examines accessibility barriers experienced by Nunavummiut across multiple areas of daily life, including transportation, housing, employment, education, communication, and access to services. The findings contribute to a growing understanding of accessibility within Northern and remote contexts and provide recommendations for improving accessibility across Nunavut.
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Community Engagement
This report explores the experiences of caregivers in Nunavut, highlighting both the strengths and challenges of providing care within Northern communities. It examines the realities faced by family members, informal caregivers, and support networks while identifying opportunities to strengthen supports and improve outcomes for caregivers and those receiving care.
National Disability Knowledge Forum ethical conduct for research policy
The National Disability Knowledge Forum (NDKF) is committed to ensuring that all research conducted, supported, sponsored, funded, or facilitated by the organization is undertaken in an ethical, respectful, and culturally responsive manner.
The purpose of this policy is to establish principles, standards, and procedures governing the ethical conduct of research involving Inuit individuals, communities, organizations, knowledge holders, and partners.
This policy is guided by:
- The Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2)
- TCPS 2 Chapter 9: Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada
- Inuit societal values (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit)
- Principles of Indigenous self-determination
- Community-based and participatory research approaches
- Respect for Inuit knowledge systems and lived experience
The Forum recognizes that ethical research extends beyond obtaining consent. Ethical research requires meaningful relationships, accountability, reciprocity, and respect for Inuit communities and knowledge systems.
Guiding principles
The Forum recognizes that valuable knowledge exists within communities. The experiences of people with disabilities, families, caregivers, Elders, and community members are essential sources of insight and expertise.
Research must respect the dignity, autonomy, cultures, languages, and knowledge systems of Inuit individuals and communities.
Research should provide meaningful benefit to participating communities and should not extract knowledge without contributing value in return.
Researchers are accountable to participants, communities, partner organizations, and the Forum throughout all stages of research.
Inuit communities have the right to influence research priorities, processes, interpretation, dissemination, and use of findings.
The Forum recognizes lived experience as a form of expertise and values the participation of people with disabilities, caregivers, Elders, youth, and community members.
Research activities and outputs should be designed to maximize accessibility whenever possible.
Inuit societal values
The Forum recognizes Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as an important foundation for ethical engagement. Research activities should seek to embody values such as:
Inuuqatigiitsiarniq
Respecting others, relationships, and caring for people.
Tunnganarniq
Fostering openness, inclusiveness, and welcoming participation.
Piliriqatigiingniq
Working together toward a common purpose.
Aajiiqatigiingniq
Decision-making through discussion and consensus.
Pijitsirniq
Serving communities and contributing to collective wellbeing.
Pilimmaksarniq
Building capacity through learning, mentorship, and skill development.
Researchers should demonstrate how these principles inform project design and implementation.
Community engagement
Meaningful engagement should occur as early as possible in the research process. Depending on project scope and impact, engagement may include:
- Community organizations
- Inuit governments
- Inuit representative organizations
- Elders
- Individuals with lived experience
- Community advisors
- Local stakeholders
Researchers should demonstrate:
- Why engagement is appropriate
- How engagement will occur
- How community input will influence decisions
- How findings will be shared back with communities
External resources
The National Disability Knowledge Forum recognizes that important disability-related knowledge is being developed by many organizations, researchers, and communities across Inuit Nunangat and Canada.
While the Forum is not intended to serve as a comprehensive resource database, we share selected resources that may be useful to researchers, policymakers, organizations, students, and community members interested in disability, accessibility, inclusion, Inuit wellbeing, and related topics.
Resources are selected because they contribute to understanding disability within Inuit, Indigenous, Northern, or community-based contexts.
Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society (NDMS)
Research reports, resources, and community initiatives related to disability, accessibility, and inclusion in Nunavut.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
Research, policy, and data resources related to Inuit health, wellbeing, and social determinants of health.
National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health
Resources related to Indigenous health, community wellbeing, and culturally informed approaches to research and service delivery.
Statistics Canada
Disability, accessibility, and demographic data relevant to Inuit and Northern populations.
Accessibility Standards Canada
Resources and information supporting the development of accessibility standards across Canada.