Learning through Research, Learning from Community - Romani Makkik

After working as a research advisor for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and as the Qikiqtani Truth Commission Implementation Coordinator for Qikiqtani Inuit Association, I became curious how we can combine learning through research and learning from community. My return to academia was motivated by wanting to better understand how to work with members of communities on incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. The purpose of this paper is to share with you my experience of being an academic and of doing research in an Inuit community. Research is a tool to answer a question, as someone once said to me, “academic’s like to theorize, and then test; Inuit do” during one of my visits to Clyde River, NU where I am doing research with Ilisaqsivik Society. A community organization that promotes community wellbeing and provides programs and some services to the people of Clyde River. The community has come together to help each other through sharing knowledge and providing space for community and individual learning and wellbeing. I on the other hand have gone to a western institution learning about research and social justice, now I’m learning through research, learning from community.