The experience of transient Qallunaat workers in education health and social services in Nunavik

Monfette, Béatrice et Quintal-Marineau, Magalie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2763-8955 (2025). The experience of transient Qallunaat workers in education health and social services in Nunavik INRS - Urbanisation Culture Société, Montréal.

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Résumé

The Nunavik labour market is largely structured around transient workers from southern Quebec, a dynamic resulting from the legacy of colonialism in the Canadian Arctic. Despite the challenges this presence poses for the organization of the labour market and the relationships between Inuit and Qallunaat (non-Inuit), an understanding of these work experiences remains limited. This report presents the results of a master’s research project aimed at gaining a better understanding of the experience of Qallunaat employed in care sectors (education, health and social services) in Nunavik. The results are based on interviews with 21 former Qallunaat workers and reveal that their experiences are characterized by: 1) a temporary opportunity, both personally and professionally, 2) gaps between initial aspirations and the realities encountered, 3) a tension between challenges and benefi ts, 4) colonial dynamics that place them in a position of authority over Inuit, and 5) a feeling of being essential to the Nunavik labour market. The report concludes with 14 recommendations to address the issues raised by these fi ndings. This project offers new insights into the temporary roles of Qallunaat workers and their relationships with Inuit in Nunavik’s care institutions, emphasizing how colonial dynamics benefi t Qallunaat workers while excluding Inuit from employment opportunities in their own homeland. The report outlines potential actions to enhance the revitalization of relationships between Inuit and Qallunaat in care institutions.

Type de document:	Rapport
Informations complémentaires:	French version also available ; research project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ)
Mots-clés libres:	work; transient; Qallunaat; Inuit; Nunavik; care; colonialism; relationship; experience
Centre:	Centre Urbanisation Culture Société
Date de dépôt:	26 sept. 2025 20:01
Dernière modification:	26 sept. 2025 20:01
URI:	https://espace.inrs.ca/id/eprint/16672

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