Virtual Qaggiq (VQ)
project
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The Virtual Qaggiq (VQ) Project is a CIHR funded community-driven initiative created to empower and support the mental wellness of Inuit youth in Nunavut.
In response to Nunavummiut’s concerns about high rates of depression, and anxiety among youth, the VQ Project blends Inuit cultural heritage with modern technology, providing an accessible and engaging virtual platform for mental health support and reduction of self-harm. VQ is Inspired by the traditional Inuit Qaggiq, a communal meeting place for sharing knowledge and strengthening community bonds. The VQ game reimagines this space as a digital hub for healing, connection, and resilience-building guided by Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles.
Our mission is to support Inuit youth with the development and testing of a unique digital tool: an exciting video game that blends Inuit cultural traditions with activities that boost problem-solving and wellness. We are committed to co-creating resources with Inuit youth leaders, Elders, and community members, ensuring that all aspects of the VQ game reflect the voices and values of the communities we serve. By fostering resilience and supporting emotional well-being, we aim to empower Inuit youth with usable new skills and enhanced confidence that leads to thriving.
A total of 60 individuals, from Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Ontario contributed to the development of the Virtual Qaggiq game.
Check out the game credits ->
We are a dedicated team united by a mission to support Inuit youth in Nunavut by creating mental wellness tools that resonate with their unique cultural experiences and community needs.
For years, we’ve worked alongside a diverse network of Inuit youth leaders, Elders, cultural advisors, and community members, fostering meaningful connections across 9 communities in Nunavut. Through these collaborations, we bring together traditional Inuit knowledge—Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)—and modern digital tools to create supportive, engaging, and culturally grounded resources.
At the heart of our work is the Virtual Qaggiq, an online space inspired by the traditional Inuit meeting place where youth can gather, explore their culture, and access mental wellness tools developed just for them. These resources, from virtual reality experiences to interactive games, are designed to help youth navigate challenges like stress, anxiety, and trauma while staying rooted in their cultural identity and community values.
We believe in honouring the wisdom of Inuit traditions and blending it with evidence-based mental health practices, ensuring that every tool we create is guided by the voices and needs of the communities we serve. Whether through knowledge sharing, youth-led workshops, or community events, we are here to create a lasting impact by building resilience and connection.
This project is just the beginning of a long-term vision. As we continue to grow, we invite communities, youth, and leaders to join us in this journey. Together, we’re building a future where Inuit youth feel empowered, connected, and supported in their mental wellness journeys.
Read about our previous two mental wellness initiatives in Nunavut –
MAKING I-SPARX FLY IN NUNAVUT
Our team, in collaboration with the Gov. of NU, brought a mental wellness game called SPARX from New Zealand to Nunavut. Inuit youth said SPARX was helpful, but that it needed to feel more like home. So, with the help of youth and community members across Nunavut, the game was adapted for Inuit culture and called I(Inuit)-SPARX! The I-SPARX game teaches CBT-based skills, like problem-solving, dealing with negative thoughts, and relaxation, through fun challenges that help support Inuit youth mental wellness. 121 youth, from 16 communities across NU found the game to be helpful. It’s now available for free on request.
Click the image to check out the I-SPARX project website!
COVID-19 RESILIENCE PROJECT
Inuit youth and communities expressed the need for a study to better understand how the pandemic impacted their mental health and their families, to work together to support youth and families during periods of social isolation and lockdowns. Our team, collaborated with youth, Elders, and community members to listen to their stories and experiences during COVID-19. Together, we explored which tools and resources were most helpful during the lockdown and shared ideas on how to stay connected during hard times. This project helped guide future supports for Inuit youth and families facing periods of social isolation.
Click the image to check out the COVID-19 Resilience project website!
Together, we are hoping to develop and test a digital tool that will be enjoyed, and perceived as useful and supportive, by many young people in Nunavut.
The NuWellnessGames team was previously involved in the cultural adaptation of the I-SPARX mental wellness game. Inuit youth, community members, and elders collaborated on the I-SPARX project to adapt the SPARX game, originally built in New Zealand, for Inuit culture. Youth who tested the adapted I-SPARX game found it to be helpful, however many felt that they wanted to see even more elements of their culture in the game. Hence the Virtual Qaggiq game was born, a game that is developed for an by Inuit youth from the ground up, a game that is based entirely on Inuit culture and values. Check out below to find out how the concept of the Virtual Qaggiq came about.
Our approach is all about collaboration and respect.
The VQ video game was designed to support youth in strengthening their connection to cultural values and acquire practical mental wellness skills to use in challenging situations. Our project team now invites you to test the game and provide your feedback.
The Virtual Qaggiq (VQ) offers a private, safe, playful environment where Inuit youth can access some new tools that are grounded in tradition, guided by community, and designed to support thriving.