The Ashukan Institute has published a study conducted for the First Nations and Inuit Labor Market Advisory Committee (CCPNIMT) and authored by Émilie Deschênes, PhD: an in-depth analysis of the socio-professional integration and job retention of First Nations and Inuit (PNI) youth aged 15 to 35 in Quebec.

What the study examines

The life trajectories of young PNI members are often shaped by unique historical, social, cultural, and economic factors. The study establishes a common framework for understanding these realities and then analyzes what facilitates—or hinders—access to employment and job retention.

  • The challenges faced by young people —historical legacy and intergenerational trauma, racism and discrimination, education, geographic mobility, and isolation;
  • Their needs and interests —general needs prior to employment, needs related to culture and identity, and the groups of stakeholders likely to address them;
  • How well the labor market aligns with these needs and interests, and possible solutions;
  • Promising strategies and practices —programs and services, funding, employer practices, community leadership, entrepreneurship, culture, identity, and territory;
  • A summary of the recommendations, including guiding principles and specific recommendations.
Download the study (PDF)

Social and Occupational Integration and Employment Retention of First Nations and Inuit Youth — Issues and Challenges, Needs and Interests, Strategies and Practices. Ashukan Institute, authored by Émilie Deschênes, PhD, for the First Nations and Inuit Labor Market Advisory Committee (CCPNIMT), 2026.