scholarly journals Two-Eyed Seeing and developmental origins of health and disease studies with indigenous partners

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Eric N. Liberda ◽  
Aleksandra M. Zuk ◽  
Roger Davey ◽  
Ruby Edwards-Wheesk ◽  
Leonard J. S. Tsuji
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Partnership Model ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract Globally, mortality of Indigenous persons is greater than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts, which has been shown to be disproportionately attributable to non-communicable diseases. The historically subordinate position that Indigenous Knowledge (IK) held in comparison to Western science has shifted over the last several decades, with the credibility and importance of IK now being internationally recognized. Herein, we examine how Marsahall’s (2014) Two-Eyed Seeing can foster collaborative and culturally relevant Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) studies for health and well-being by using ‘..the best in Indigenous ways of knowing…[and] the best in Western (or mainstream) ways of knowing…and learn to use both these eyes for the benefit of all.’ At its core, Two-Eyed Seeing also includes the principles of ownership, control, access and possession, and Community-Based Participatory Research, which further reinforces the critical role of Indigenous peoples taking active roles in DOHaD research. Additionally, we also present a partnership model for working with Indigenous communities that includes the principles of respect, equity and empowerment. As researchers begin to fill the gap in Indigenous health, we outline how Two-Eyed Seeing should form the basis of DOHaD studies involving Indigenous communities. This model can be used to develop and guide projects that result in robust and meaningful participatory partnerships that have impactful uptake of research findings.

Baraza as method: Adapting a traditional conversational space for data collection and pathways for change

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110293
Author(s):  
Laura A. Chubb ◽  
Christa B. Fouché ◽  
Karen Sadeh Kengah
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Context Specific

The call to decolonise research processes and knowledge produced through them has spawned a powerful shift in working relationships between community researchers and members of local communities. Adaptation of a traditional conversational space in a community-based participatory research study offers a context-specific example of a decolonising method for data collection and as pathways for change. This article reports on learnings encountered while adapting the space and highlights the relevance for other cultural contexts. We present principles to adapt traditional conversational spaces both for collecting data and as a means of working in partnership with indigenous communities to enable different ways of knowing and action.

scholarly journals If We Show Them Will They Come? Attitudes of Native American Youth Towards Higher Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-105
Author(s):  
Emmerentine Oliphant ◽  
Sharon B. Templeman
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Native Community ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
General Validity ◽  
Native Canadian ◽  
Indigenous Ways Of Knowing

Indigenous health research should reflect the needs and benefits of the participants and their community as well as academic and practitioner interests. The research relationship can be viewed as co-constructed by researchers, participants, and communities, but this nature often goes unrecognized because it is confined by the limits of Western epistemology. Dominant Western knowledge systems assume an objective reality or truth that does not support multiple or subjective realities, especially knowledge in which culture or context is important, such as in Indigenous ways of knowing. Alternatives and critiques of the current academic system of research could come from Native conceptualizations and philosophies, such as Indigenous ways of knowing and Indigenous protocols, which are increasingly becoming more prominent both Native and non-Native societies. This paper contains a narrative account by an Indigenous researcher of her personal experience of the significant events of her doctoral research, which examined the narratives of Native Canadian counselors’ understanding of traditional and contemporary mental health and healing. As a result of this narrative, it is understood that research with Indigenous communities requires a different paradigm than has been historically offered by academic researchers. Research methodologies employed in Native contexts must come from Indigenous values and philosophies for a number of important reasons and with consequences that impact both the practice of research itself and the general validity of research results. In conclusion, Indigenous ways of knowing can form a new basis for understanding contemporary health research with Indigenous peoples and contribute to the evolution of Indigenous academics and research methodologies in both Western academic and Native community contexts.

Island Nation, US Territory and Contested Space: Territorial Status As a Social Determinant of Indigenous Health in Guam

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1069-1088
Author(s):  
Tressa P Diaz ◽  
Lana Sue I Ka‘opua ◽  
Susan Nakaoka
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Fourth Generation ◽  
Critical Race ◽  
Race Theory ◽  
Contested Spaces ◽  
Territorial Status

Abstract The United Nations and International Federation of Social Work affirm the right of all people to determine their political status, preserve their environments and pursue endeavours for well-being. This article focuses on CHamoru, Guam’s Indigenous people, and examines distal social determinants of health (SDOH) in the contested spaces of US territorial status and non-self-determining Indigenous nationhood. Published multi-disciplinary literature identified ways in which territorial status functions as an SDOH unique to non-self-determining Pacific Island nations. Indicated is the use of structural approaches that address mechanisms of US power and control, including economic policies that ‘defacto’ promote coca-colonisation and non-communicable diseases risk. Critical race theory centres race, colonisation and subversive narratives. In line with fourth-generation SDOH action-oriented research, we posit a CHamoru critical race theory model that weaves Indigenous, social work and public health perspectives. Lack of community input is a limitation of the current research. To assure relevance, the model will be vetted through community discussions. Our discussion guide may be tailored for other Indigenous communities. Social workers may play a meaningful role in promoting health equity through participatory action-oriented, cultural–political social work that upholds Indigenous self-determination and survivance in contested spaces.

scholarly journals Missing in Action: Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Evaluation of Comprehensive Community Initiatives

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Gillespie ◽  
Jason Albert ◽  
Shelanie Grant ◽  
Tanya MacKeigan
Keyword(s):  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Comprehensive Community Initiatives ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Indigenous Children ◽  
Missing In Action

Comprehensive community initiatives (CCIs) coordinate social and structural change across multiple community sectors and represent promising approaches to complex social problems. Nowhere is this more relevant than for Indigenous children and families. However, strategies to evaluate initiatives to enhance Indigenous well-being must be meaningful to Indigenous communities. A review of literature regarding evaluation of CCIs identified various principles, case studies, methodologies, and methods grounded in Western ways of knowing and approaches to research. Research that engages with Indigenous led comprehensive community initiatives is needed to enhance evaluation practices for CCIs that enables resurgence of Indigenous traditions and worldviews. 

scholarly journals Learning to Fail Better: Reflections on the Challenges and Risks of Community-Based Participatory Mental Health Research With Inuit Youth in Nunavut

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Polina Anang ◽  
Nora Gottlieb ◽  
Suzanne Putulik ◽  
Shelley Iguptak ◽  
Ellen Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Moral Dilemmas ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Colonial Power ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Community Based ◽  
On The Road

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a mine field of moral dilemmas. Even when carefully planned for and continuously critically reflected upon, conflicts are likely to occur as part of the process. This paper illustrates the lessons learned from “Building on Strengths in Naujaat”, a resiliency initiative with the objective of promoting sense of belonging, collective efficacy, and well-being in Inuit youth. Naujaat community members over time established strong meaningful relationships with academic researchers. Youth took on the challenge of organizing community events, trips out on the land, and fundraisers. While their creativity and resourcefulness are at the heart of the initiative, this paper explores conflicts and pitfalls that accompanied it. Based on three themes – struggles in coming together as academic and community partners, the danger of perpetuating colonial power structures, and the challenges of navigating complex layers of relations within the community – we examine the dilemmas unearthed by these conflicts, including an exploration of how much we as CBPR researchers are at risk of reproducing colonial power structures. Acknowledging and addressing power imbalances, while striving for transparency, accountability, and trust, are compelling guiding principles needed to support Indigenous communities on the road toward health equity.

Gimiigiwemin: Putting Knowledge Translation Into Practice With Anishinaabe Communities

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Kane Tobias ◽  
Chantelle Richmond
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
The North ◽  
Talking Circles ◽  
The Gift

<p>In the Anishinaabemowen lagnuage, <em>Gimiigiwemin</em> is a concept that means, “we are exchanging gifts.” In the context of research, Indigenous communities often share their gifts with researchers by exposing them to local ways of knowing. Researchers can engage in exchanging gifts through sharing their skills and working towards producing research that meets community needs, such as supporting efforts to maintain health-sustaining relationships with traditional lands. <em>Environmental repossession</em> refers to the social, cultural, and political processes through which Indigenous Peoples are building resilience and reclaiming their traditional lands and ways of life. These processes are important because the health, ways of living, and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples all depend on access to traditional lands. This paper presents the results of a community-based participatory research study conducted in collaboration with Elders (<em>n </em>= 46) from two Anishinaabe communities on the north shore of Lake Superior (Ontario, Canada). This research employed locally relevant forms of integrated knowledge translation as a means of exchanging the gift of knowledge amongst all involved. This process culminated in a 2-day celebration wherein talking circles were used to explore Elders’ ideas about potential strategies for environmental repossession in their communities. Results from the talking circles pointed to four main strategies: (1) re-establishing the relationship between Elders and youth, (2) increasing time spent on traditional lands, (3) improving physical health, and (4) fostering community pride. This research emphasizes the strength of adopting culturally appropriate approaches to knowledge translation within studies aimed at supporting community aspirations of environmental repossession. </p>

scholarly journals Science, research and social change in Indigenous health — evolving ways of knowing

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter W Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Dominant Culture ◽  
Effect Change ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Epistemological Framework

History tells us of the overwhelming destructive influence of exotic culture, politics and knowledge forms upon the worldview and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. The power of dominant culture to oppress, control and dominate traditional Indigenous ways of knowing and being has been identified as a being a crucial influence on the health status, future hopes and aspirations of Indigenous Australians. Fundamental to this assertion is that the alienating effect of the belief in and application of the scientific method in relation to learning and knowing is a phenomenon that is incompatible with the law and cultural ways of traditional Indigenous people. The establishment of the Centre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) is predicated upon and responds to a deep need in our community today to synthesise the ideological and epistemological premises of an increasing range of cultures and world views. It recognises that clinical research, for example, is important to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but also that the way such research is designed and carried out is also crucial to its potential to effect change in and improve the state of Indigenous health in Australia. This paper examines knowledge principles and processes associated with research in Indigenous communities, explores emerging research trends in science and proposes an epistemological framework for synthesis of traditional approaches with those of the scientific paradigm.

Childhood abuse or trauma: A racial perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (01) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Oldfield ◽  
Theresa Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
School Environment ◽  
English Language ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
English Language Acquisition ◽  
Racial Trauma ◽  
Aboriginal Students ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Australian English

AbstractRacial trauma describes the emotional trauma and associated psychiatric reactions, such as distress and compromised well-being, which arise from perceived incidences of racism. It is an emerging psychological paradigm that is intimately linked to state-based policy measures such as child removal. Racial trauma is also deeply institutionalised in Australia’s education system as a consequence of the focus on dominant (white Standard Australian English speaking) culture, language, literacy and numeracy standards. Despite receiving little recognition in mental health work or the education sector, the effects of such trauma are profound and can account for the high rates of suicide and social dysfunction that we see in remote Indigenous communities as well as the low academic achievement and English language acquisition rates in Aboriginal students. This paper presents a literature review related to publications that scrutinise the relationship between racism in policy and schools and racial trauma, drawing on some research findings by one of the authors. It suggests alternative Indigenous pedagogies that can both mitigate and remove racial trauma from the school environment and lead to successful academic outcomes and well-being for Aboriginal students.

scholarly journals Hear Our Languages, Hear Our Voices: Storywork as Theory and Praxis in Indigenous-Language Reclamation

Daedalus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa L. McCarty ◽  
Sheilah E. Nicholas ◽  
Kari A. B. Chew ◽  
Natalie G. Diaz ◽  
Wesley Y. Leonard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Abstract Entity ◽  
Hawaiian Language ◽  
Indigenous Ways Of Knowing

Storywork provides an epistemic, pedagogical, and methodological lens through which to examine Indigenous language reclamation in practice. We theorize the meaning of language reclamation in diverse Indigenous communities based on firsthand narratives of Chickasaw, Mojave, Miami, Hopi, Mohawk, Navajo, and Native Hawaiian language reclamation. Language reclamation is not about preserving the abstract entity “language,” but is rather about voice, which encapsulates personal and communal agency and the expression of Indigenous identities, belonging, and responsibility to self and community. Storywork – firsthand narratives through which language reclamation is simultaneously described and practiced – shows that language reclamation simultaneously refuses the dispossession of Indigenous ways of knowing and refuses past, present, and future generations in projects of cultural continuance. Centering Indigenous experiences sheds light on Indigenous community concerns and offers larger lessons on the role of language in well-being, sustainable diversity, and social justice.

scholarly journals Cree Elders’ Perspectives on Land-Based Education: A Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-91
Author(s):  
John Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Indigenous Cultures ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Indigenous Land

This study deals with the notion that Indigenous peoples are concerned with preserving their communities, nations, cultural values, and educational traditions. Indigenous peoples have a land-based education system that emerges out of their own worldviews and perspectives, which need to be applied to research concerning Indigenous cultures. This work explores Indigenous land-based education through the perspectives of Cree Elders of Northern, Manitoba. Six Cree Elders were interviewed to explore the ideas and practices of land-based education. The article engages discussion of Indigenous land-based education stemming from Elders’ teachings of Indigenous knowledge, cultural values, identity, and vision. Informed by Cree Elders, this qualitative study articulates an Indigenous interpretation of land-based education. Research findings demonstrate that Indigenous land-based education can be used to promote well-being among Indigenous peoples in Canada. While the study is based on the Cree experience in Northern Manitoba, its message is significant to many other Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Drawing on the Elders’ teachings, policy recommendations are generated for advancing Indigenous land-based education

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