I am searching for information on a social scientific study.
In the years between 1970 and 1979 a sociological/anthropological
experiment was conducted in the Artic region involving native people
in that area using portable video gear to make video recordings of
their environment. Also a Psychiatrist in Tortonto was videotaping
sessions with patients for immediate playback as part of a fast track
psychotherapy method

In the 1970s, portable video gear was extremely heavy and cumbersome.
Are you certain about the decade?

I purchased my first Sony Portapak in 1974.  It was heavy and
cumbersome but it was a big breakthrough as far as the evolution of
video technology.  Somewhere I read that social scientists (not sure
if these scientists were Sociologists or Anthropologists [Ethnologists
perhaps]) the social scientists provided Eskimos with portapaks and
then left.  The social scientists returned several months later and
viewed the vidoetapes.  I would like to find out more about this
experiments as well as other experiments where the subjects videotape
themselves.

Could it be the Inukshuk Project?

"The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation was created from the Inukshuk
Project - a federally sponsored experiment in the late 1970's.
Rudimentary television production facilities were installed in 6
northern communities, and teams of newly recruited Inuit trainees
began to learn the fundamentals of TV production":
http://www.inuitbroadcasting.ca/english/history.html

More on "THE INUKSHUK PROJECT" in
http://www.inuitbroadcasting.ca/english/pdf/whiteout.pdf (especially p. 3 - 4)

I do not think it was the Inukshuk Project but its definitly a lead. I
will contact the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation and inquire as to
their knowledge of this "early 1970's experiment with Sony Porta Paks.
 I believe this was conducted as an ethnographic study.  Native people
of the Artic region were provided with portable B/W 1/2" reel to reel
videotape equipment (state of the art at the time) and left to make
videotapes.  The researchers returned several months later to see the
recordings.

Check out the The Alaska Native Knowledge Network or contact them:
ANKN Coordinator at (907) 474-5086, or send an email message to
fyankn@uaf.edu. For inquiries regarding the Alaska Native/Rural
Education Consortium, contact Frank Hill, Alaska Federation of Natives
at (907) 274-3611, or email to fnfwh@uaf.edu.

Here is an article about a video tape project performed in Jan. 1979
by Wendy Rosen Esmailka with B&W reel-to-reel recorders but inside a
school in a controlled environment:
http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/tuningin.html

If this is not what your looking for these people would undoubtely
know about your question. I hope this helps...

Spooky

You may also want to check with the Alaska Moving Image Preservation
Association (AMIPA). You can check out their website at www.amipa.org

From their mission statement:
The Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association is the only Alaskan
institution, public or private, with a mission to save all Alaskan
moving images. We meet that challenge by collecting endangered
materials, and providing technical assistance and knowledge regarding
archival needs and techniques. AMIPA's mission is: to collect,
preserve, catalog and provide public access to Alaska's sound and
moving image material, and to encourage the ongoing documentation of
Alaskans and Alaska events of historical importance; to provide
knowledge and assistance to other archives, private collectors,
producers, institutions, and the general public; to advocate on behalf
of these materials; and to educate the public, government officials
and civic leaders on the importance of preserving Alaska's sound and
moving image heritage.

Was this ethnographic study conducted in Canada or in Alaska?