This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember your browser. We use this information to improve and customize your browsing experience, for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media, and for marketing purposes. By using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by UVic’s Terms of Use and Protection of Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the above, you must not use this website.

Skip to main content
People Departments Maps Buildings Rooms A-Z
University
of Victoria
Apply Library
Sign in Online tools Sign out
Faculty of Graduate Studies

Alexander Loggie

  • BEd (St. Thomas University, 2019)
  • BA (St. Thomas University, 2016)
Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Master of Arts

Topic

Inuktut Vitality as a Protective Factor of Suicide Risk among Nunavut Inuit

School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures

Date & location

  • Friday, August 29, 2025
  • 1:00 P.M.
  • Virtual Defence

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Li-Shih Huang, School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, University of Victoria (Co-Supervisor)
  • Dr. Carmen Rodriguez de France, Department of Indigenous Education (Co-Supervisor)

External Examiner

  • Dr. Jeff Corntassel, Indigenous Studies program, UVic

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Lincoln Shlensky, Department of English, UVic

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between Inuktut language vitality and suicide rates among Inuit communities in Nunavut, exploring whether cultural continuity—particularly through language—serves as a protective factor against suicide risk. While previous research has linked Indigenous language knowledge to improved mental health outcomes, including reduced suicide rates, limited quantitative work has focused specifically on Inuit populations in Nunavut. This study draws on data from the 2016 Canadian census and suicide incidence reports from 1999 to 2014, using multiple regression analysis to assess the association between community-level measures of Inuktut vitality and suicide rates, while controlling for socio-economic variables including income, education, and employment. The analysis finds a modest but consistent, inverse relationship between changes in the use of Inuktut as a main language at home and changes in suicide rates, with gains in the former significantly associated with declines in the latter. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence linking language vitality to well-being and underscore the importance of Indigenous language maintenance and revitalization as integral components of public health and community wellness strategies. Additionally, the study highlights methodological challenges in operationalizing language vitality and demonstrates the value—and limits—of using census data to explore complex relationships between culture and health in Indigenous contexts.

Back to oral exams