Tungasuvvingat Inuit: Strengthening Inuit Family Supports in Ontario
“The work we do at Tungasuvvingat Inuit is rooted in supporting Inuit children and families in culturally grounded, relational, and community-led ways. Mareto helps our ability to navigate services and referrals more efficiently, helping us provide more coordinated, wrap-around support when families need it most.”
Tungasuvvingat Inuit is a not-for-profit service provider in Ontario dedicated to supporting Inuit individuals, children, youth, and families living outside of Inuit Nunangat. As the only organization of its kind in urban Canada, Tungasuvvingat Inuit offers nearly 30 culturally grounded, integrated front-line services focused on wellbeing, connection, and empowerment. Their programs span family supports, cultural education, counselling, youth engagement, employment and training assistance, food security initiatives, and more, all rooted in traditional Inuit values and principles that emphasize relationships, community, and respect.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit also fulfills a unique role as the community representative for Inuit in Ontario under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, ensuring that Inuit families interacting with child welfare services are supported with culturally specific advocacy, navigation, and connection to resources.
The Rewarding Work Tungasuvvingat Inuit Does
Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s team finds deep meaning in the holistic, culturally grounded services they provide, work that bridges critical gaps for Inuit families navigating complex support systems. Some of the most rewarding aspects include:
Providing safe, responsive spaces where Inuit families feel seen, respected, and supported.
Supporting children and families in ways that honor culture, language, and community practices rooted in Inuit traditions.
Building wrap-around services that address family wellbeing comprehensively, not just isolated needs.
These efforts contribute to healing, belonging, and empowerment for individuals and families who have historically experienced systemic barriers and over-representation in mainstream systems.
Challenges Tungasuvvingat Inuit Faces
Despite the profound impact of its work, Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s team navigates significant challenges:
High program demand with limited staffing and operational capacity.
The complexity of service systems in Ontario, particularly for families engaging with child welfare, housing, mental health, and justice services.
Ensuring supports are accessible without increasing stress or retraumatization for families already under pressure.
These challenges highlight both the intensity of community need and the resilience of Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s team in responding with compassionate, culturally based practices.
Partnering with HelpSeeker & Mareto
Tungasuvvingat Inuit partnered with HelpSeeker to implement Mareto, a case management platform designed to strengthen service delivery and navigation.
“The work we do at Tungasuvvingat Inuit is rooted in supporting Inuit children and families in culturally grounded, relational, and community-led ways. Mareto helps our ability to navigate services and referrals more efficiently, helping us provide more coordinated, wrap-around support when families need it most.”
Strengthened service navigation and referral pathways, ensuring families get connected with the right supports at the right time.
Increased efficiency in identifying appropriate resources across programs.
More coordinated, cross-program communication when families have multi-service needs.
By centralizing client information and service pathways, Mareto helps Tungasuvvingat Inuit enhance its support ecosystem, especially for families whose needs traverse multiple Tungasuvvingat Inuit programs and external systems.
Looking Forward
Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s journey with Mareto represents an exciting evolution in how culturally grounded community support can be delivered with greater efficiency and cohesion.
As Tungasuvvingat Inuit continues implementing the platform, the organization is poised to:
Enhance its service coordination for families,
Scale its impact across programs,
And continue advocating for Inuit wellbeing within complex systems
Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s work is an inspiring example of culturally responsive social service delivery, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to strengthening supports for Inuit families in Ontario and bridging tradition and innovation to meet the needs of their community.