In the Northern village of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, Qarmaapik House is helping families stay together by offering support before a crisis turns into a child welfare case.
Launched with the support of the $700,000 Arctic Inspiration Prize in 2016, Qarmaapik provides a safe, welcoming space where families can get help navigating challenges—on their own terms and within their own community.
Inuit-Led, Community-First
Qarmaapik offers an alternative to the conventional child welfare model. Families in crisis can receive support and stay for up to seven days in a safe, culturally grounded space. During this time, trained Inuit community interveners, Elders, counsellors, and health workers come together to provide wraparound care. Only when families are unable to resolve their challenges is youth protection involved.
This shift—from system-first to community-first—has been transformative. In the first year alone, 35 families were supported, 24 of these families came voluntarily, meaning they had reached out directly to Qarmaapik for help. Another 11 client families were referred by social services or other community partners.
“Breaking the cycle of violence and [foster care] placements, because that’s creating traumas over and over again.”
— Ellasie Annanack, Qarmaapik Counsellor
Strengthening Families, Every Day
What happens at Qarmaapik is as much about everyday connection as it is about crisis response. Programs for parents and children include everything from self-care nights and hunting trips to structured family-strengthening programs that teach communication and structure. Men’s breakfasts, elder gatherings, holiday dinners, berry-picking days, and movie nights form the foundation of the space—where prevention and healing happen not just through counselling, but through community.
Qarmaapik also runs a year-round community kitchen and hosts seasonal events that bring people together and support families in the community. At Christmas, over 100 food baskets are prepared for families in need, single parents, and Elders.
Rooted in Culture, Growing New Leaders
In 2023, Qarmaapik supported the creation of the Qalirusilik healing camp – a cabin and tent space where community members can gather berries, fish, and simply be on the land. The land is the medicine.
Qarmaapik also nurtures the next generation. Youth are hired to run summer camps, plan children’s activities, and develop leadership skills. Some have gone on to take up roles as counsellors, program coordinators, and even housing managers.
One former youth leader is now manager for the Housing Bureau. Another now provides counselling to families just like hers.
A Model to Share
With its expanded counselling team and new vehicle for emergency response, Qarmaapik House is reaching more families than ever—and looking outward. Staff are now providing training to neighbouring Nunavik communities, sharing what they’ve learned to help others build similar models of care.
“I hope there’s more people that are inspired for this service, because we need it in all the communities.”
— Ellasie Annanack
