Inunnguiniq Parenting Program: Nunavut's IQ-Based Parenting Course

Several Canadian provinces require separating parents to complete a mandatory Parenting After Separation course before their divorce can proceed. Nunavut does not. There is no territorial mandate to take an online course or attend a parenting class before filing with the Nunavut Court of Justice.

That does not mean parenting support is unavailable. Nunavut's standout resource is the Inunnguiniq Parenting Program — an evidence-based, culturally grounded program developed by the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre in Iqaluit.

What Inunnguiniq Covers

Inunnguiniq (an Inuktitut word meaning "to cause to grow into a capable human being") is built around Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit — the traditional knowledge system that has guided Inuit child-rearing for generations. The program does not import southern parenting models and translate them into Inuktitut. Instead, it starts from Inuit principles and builds outward.

Core workshop themes include:

• Inuit child development principles — understanding how children learn through observation, participation, and gradual independence rather than directive instruction
• Communication and emotional regulation — building healthy parent-child communication patterns rooted in patience, modelling, and indirect teaching
• Community-based support networks — strengthening the role of extended family, elders, and community in child-rearing
• Navigating modern challenges — applying traditional values to contemporary pressures like technology use, housing instability, and separation

Why It Matters for Separating Parents

Even though the program is not court-mandated, participating during or after a separation serves two practical purposes.

First, it gives you concrete skills for maintaining a stable, nurturing environment during a period of upheaval. Children feel the stress of separation regardless of how amicable the process is, and structured parenting support helps you respond to behavioural changes, regression, and anxiety.

Second, participation demonstrates to the Nunavut Court of Justice that you are actively invested in your child's well-being. Judges evaluating best-interests factors look favourably on parents who seek out support resources — especially programs that align with the cultural values protected under Section 17(1) of the Children's Law Act.

How to Access It

The Inunnguiniq program is delivered through the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre. Workshops are held in Iqaluit and may be available in other communities depending on facilitator availability and funding. Contact the centre directly for scheduling and availability.

For parents who cannot attend in person, the free Family Mediation Program (Inuusirmut Aqqusiuqtiit) — operated by the Department of Justice — is accessible territory-wide via phone or video and incorporates the same IQ principles into its mediation approach.

For a step-by-step parenting plan workbook that integrates cultural activity provisions and Nunavut-specific scheduling tools, see the Nunavut Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide.

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