The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is looking to reverse a trend of despair.

To do that the international non-government organization SA国际影视传媒� representing approximately 180,000 Inuit across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia SA国际影视传媒� is holding the 2021 Inuit Health Summit from Sept. 20 to Oct. 26.

The summitSA国际影视传媒檚 main goal is to promote mental wellness among youth through cultural reclamation. The first session included over 50 Inuit from across Inuit Nunaat.

ICC Chair Delee Sambo Dorough stated this is an especially important conversation right now.

SA国际影视传媒淎s Inuit, we know cultural continuity is a protective factor against suicide,SA国际影视传媒� she stated. SA国际影视传媒淭he Inuit Health Summit is a space where youth can openly discuss what supports and doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 support their connection to culture and foster a space where we all belong. Youth are joined by Elders and senior Inuit leaders eager to hear their perspective and support them in this journey to carry Inuit culture forward for our collective wellbeing.SA国际影视传媒�

The summit was originally supposed to happen in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, in September 2020 but it was postponed due to the coronavirus.

As the Covid-19 pandemic is still raging, the Circumpolar Inuit Health Steering Committee (CIHSC), which is organizing the event, decided to take it virtual.

CIHSC Chair Minnie Grey said she is looking forward to participating in the summit, though she hopes large in-person events will resume post-pandemic.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e very social people,SA国际影视传媒� she said SA国际影视传媒淲e would have much preferred to see each other and hug each other and do cultural activities together. But we really donSA国际影视传媒檛 have any choice.SA国际影视传媒�

The steering committee has split the event into six virtual meetings, which will be accessible in English, Greenlandic, Inuktitut and Russian. Topics of discussion will focus on how adults and Elders can help youth connect with their culture and identity in a fast-changing world and parenting with Inuit values.

Participants will also discuss infrastructure shortages in northern communities, such as overcrowded housing, the lack of potable water in some regions and the lack of reliable internet in many Inuit communities.

Other topics will include and techniques for suicide prevention.

Numerous sources indicate CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Inuit suicide rate is one of the highest in the world. However, it is also a problem for Inuit across the circumpolar world, said Grey.

SA国际影视传媒淚n order for us circumpolar Inuit to support one another, and to work together to find solutions, it is very important to communicate,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important that as Inuit, we understand one another and that we are not alone. That we are one people and that we can work together to overcome all these disparities and situations that are very much affecting our way of life.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淎s you know, weSA国际影视传媒檙e all under different government regimes,SA国际影视传媒� she continued. SA国际影视传媒淲e want to be able to reach policymakers, program managers and other leaders in making sure that mental wellness is always a priority in all areas.SA国际影视传媒�

She said cultural continuity protects Inuit youth from suicide and despair.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the things that we want to come out of this summit is hope,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have very strong cultural ties with each other. Our people are very resilient, and adaptable. Our ancestors survived the harsh conditions and environments that they lived in. And we can take that strength and apply it to our modern lives.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e have, we have a beautiful land, we have a beautiful culture, we have our beautiful language, we have beautiful traditions,SA国际影视传媒� she continued. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e very proud of that and we want to see it continue. And thatSA国际影视传媒檚 why itSA国际影视传媒檚 so important to have these conversations.SA国际影视传媒�

This summit is being called as a result of the 2018 Utqia摹vik Declaration, which mandated the ICC to host a circumpolar event on mental wellness.

The final session on Oct. 26 will include a cultural celebration and discussion of next steps.