On June 24, 2024, the REVISE Center officially launched the first interest group, “Building Equitable Relationships,” during the Inuit Blanket Toss: A Framework for Community Strength webinar and discussion. Participants explored the essence of cooperation in Arctic Indigenous communities with a virtual blanket toss! This interactive session, guided by Corina Qaaġraq Kramer and Dr. Cana Uluak Itchuaqiyaq (Respectful Research), translated the exhilarating spirit of the Inuit blanket toss into a powerful metaphor for equitable community engagement. Participants learned about four key principles of the blanket toss: listening to the caller, setting their feet, pulling equally, and staying in sync. These principles serve as analogies for the essential components of community-led research and underscore the importance of balanced power dynamics. Through a virtual demonstration and interactive group activities, attendees gained insights into collaborative effort and the humility required for active equality in community engagement, applicable both in field research and policy development.
