Treading carefully on sovereign ground: reflections of a settler teaching an Indigenous health and wellbeing subject in Australia.

Ketamine therapy with culturally attuned trauma-informed psychotherapy in a collaborative cross-cultural partnership may provide a critical step in the operationalization and optimization of treatment effectiveness in diverse populations and may provide a foundation for an improved quality of life for Indigenous people. Decolonizing Indigenous health and wellbeing is long overdue, requiring an equal partnership between government and Indigenous communities, built upon an aboriginal culture holistic foundation of balance of mind, body, social and spiritual realms, and within the context of historical and lived experiences of colonialism. Culturally attuned trauma-informed psychotherapy paired with ketamine—a fast-acting antidepressant that typically takes effect within 4 hours, even in cases of acute suicidality—may be uniquely qualified to integrate into an Indigenous based health system, since ketamine’s therapeutic effects engage multiple neuropsychological, physiological, biological, and behavioral systems damaged by intergenerational complex developmental trauma. Ketamine holds the potential to serve as a core treatment modality around which culturally engaged treatment approaches might be organized since its brief alteration of normal waking consciousness is already a familiar and intrinsic element of healing culture in many Indigenous societies. There is great need and desire in Indigenous communities for respectful and sacred partnership in fostering more effective mental health outcomes and improved quality of life.

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The central concept of empowerment in Indigenous health and wellbeing

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py18097 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 387 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Samantha Bobba

Keyword(s):

Indigenous Health ◽

Central Concept ◽

Health And Wellbeing

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Indigenous Subarctic Food Systems in Transition: Amino Acid Composition (Including Tryptophan) in Wild-Harvested and Processed Meats

International Journal of Food Science ◽

10.1155/2019/7096416 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nicole Spiegelaar ◽

Ian D. Martin ◽

Leonard J. S. Tsuji

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Food Systems ◽

Indigenous Health ◽

Processed Meat ◽

Processed Meats ◽

Wild Game ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Wild Meat ◽

Meat Samples ◽

Nutritional Studies

Indigenous people of northern Canada traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle subsisting on wild game and fish for thousands of years. With colonization came an increasing dependence on imported processed foods. This dietary change has often been reported to be one of the factors leading to Indigenous health and wellbeing disparities worldwide. We determined the amino acid (AA) profile including tryptophan (Trp) of wild meats (game and fish) and processed meats found in the traditional and modern diets of Indigenous subarctic communities in Canada. Trp is a limited essential AA necessary for synthesis of serotonin (5-HT), an important neurotransmitter and homeostatic regulator. The dietary ratio of Trp relative to other large neutral AAs (LNAA) can alter Trp transport and 5-HT synthesis in the brain. We determined AA composition of wild meats and processed meats using standardized NaOH and HCl hydrolysis for Trp and other AAs, respectively, followed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography. A Principal Components Analysis revealed that overall AA composition is significantly different between wild and processed meats. (M)ANOVA showed significantly higher protein in wild meats (wet weight, ww). Trp was significantly lower in processed meat samples (n=15; 0.18g/100g ± 0.02 ww) compared to wild meat samples (n=25; 0.24g/100g ± 0.06 ww). The proportion of Trp:LNAA and Trp in sample protein were not significantly different between wild (1:21-1:27, 0.92-1.27 g/100g protein) and processed (1:20-1:24, 1.03-1.27 g/100g protein) meats. Within wild meats, AA composition is significantly different between fish and waterfowl, fish and moose, and moose and goose. (M)ANOVA results indicate significantly higher protein in goose compared to moose and fish and in moose compared to fish. We compared our Trp findings to previous analyses and discuss the substantial gap in human nutritional studies of Trp.

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Decolonising the commissioning of Indigenous health and wellbeing program evaluations in Australia

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.762 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

S Finlay ◽

J Judd ◽

Y Roe ◽

B Fredericks ◽

J Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indigenous People ◽

Best Practice ◽

Program Effectiveness ◽

Indigenous Health ◽

Active Role ◽

Collaborative Group ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Top Down ◽

Program Evaluations ◽

Health And Wellbeing

Abstract Background Significant financial investments have been made to improve the life expectancy gap between Indigenous people and other Australians over the last 10 years. Despite the investment, few evaluations have been commissioned to assess program effectiveness. Indigenous leaders have been calling for a more active role in the commissioning of Indigenous program evaluations. This project aims to identify how government and non-government commissioning practices can better support Indigenous engagement and leadership in the evaluation of health and wellbeing programs in Australia. This presentation reports on the different commissioning models that support Indigenous program evaluations, from the perspectives of commissioners, evaluators and program providers. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 Indigenous and non-Indigenous commissioners, evaluators and program providers. A mixed coding procedure was used. Interviews were coded using deductively derived codes reflecting best practice principles in Indigenous evaluation and inductively derived codes from participant stories. Interviews were analysed using NVivo qualitative software. A collaborative group-based approach to data analysis was used guided by Indigenous Standpoint Theory. Results The commissioning of Indigenous-specific program evaluations in Australia reflects top-down, participatory, co-design and Indigenous-led approaches. Top-down approaches were considered 'extractive' and had limited or token Indigenous input. Indigenous models were more strongly aligned with best practice and reflected authentic Indigenous engagement. There was agreement across the stakeholder groups on the value of Indigenous engagement in the commissioning process. The presentation will elaborate on the different approaches, their characteristics, strengths/ limitations. Conclusions Diverse approaches to commissioning are used and reflect different levels of Indigenous engagement and leadership. Key messages In the commissioning of Indigenous evaluations there needs to be governance structures to support Indigenous engagement. In the commissioning of Indigenous evaluations there needs to be greater input by Indigenous people.

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"Being connected to my Shuswap family in the south": a reflective inquiry into the social media experiences of Indigenous youth in Northern and rural British Columbia

10.24124/2021/59180 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Omolara Odulaja

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

First Nations ◽

Indigenous Health ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Cultural Preservation ◽

Indigenous Youth ◽

Self Presentation ◽

Cultural Engagement ◽

Indigenous Cultures ◽

Health And Wellbeing

This research extends and explores two key concepts. First, cultural preservation is important to Indigenous health and wellbeing. Second, when Indigenous youth spend quality time (whether online or offline) on issues pertaining to their identity and sense of self, that time can be key to preserving Indigenous cultures. This research project was an exploratory study carried out using a variety of research methods, including online surveys, semistructured interviews, and open ended storytelling engagements. In this study, youth ages 15 to 24 years interacted with one another in online and offline spaces, which in some cases served as culturally safe wellbeing sites where their self-esteem increased, especially if they were mentored by Indigenous peers and adults. This study found out that Indigenous youth are active social media users and engage in all kinds of activities including self presentation, social connections, cultural activities, and advocacy. The risks and benefits of using social media for identity expression and cultural engagement were identified, but some youth were noted to require supports to engage safely on social media to derive maximum benefits. The interdisciplinary nature of the research merges concepts, theories, and ideas from First Nations Studies, Sociology, Community Health, and Media Studies. This project embraced methodologies employed in these various disciplines but used a Two-Eyed Seeing framework as a tool to ensure cohesiveness in the research and respect for Indigenous cultures and cultural protocols. The research ultimately unfolded using lenses of both Indigenous and nonIndigenous worldviews, which I believe contributed greatly to the richness of the findings.

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The dichotomy of commissioning Indigenous health and wellbeing program evaluations: What the Funder wants vs what the Community needs

Health Promotion Journal of Australia ◽

10.1002/hpja.486 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 149-151

Author(s):

Summer May Finlay ◽

Margaret Cargo ◽

James A. Smith ◽

Jenni Judd ◽

Amohia Boulton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indigenous Health ◽

Community Needs ◽

Program Evaluations ◽

Health And Wellbeing

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Different Indigenous Techniques Practiced for Tackling Obesity among Children in China and India

International Journal of Indian Psychology ◽

10.25215/0403.068 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Dr. Uma Joshi ◽

Ms. Aditya Pareek

Keyword(s):

Food Habits ◽

Indigenous Health ◽

Western World ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

China And India ◽

Treatment Of Obesity ◽

Indigenous Methods ◽

Rich History ◽

India And China

In the present times, obesity has been considered one of the major hindrances to the health and beauty and productivity of a person along with its other known problems and once it turns to epidemic face, it becomes difficult and complex to handle. Obesity among children is now becoming a global cause of concern covering all aspects such as economical, psychological as well as socio-cultural aspects of life and work. It is already an epidemic in the western world and now encroaching rapidly the developing countries such as India. India and China are old civilizations among eastern countries and share many common practices, food habits and approaches to health and wellbeing. Both the countries have a long and rich history in their indigenous health practices. Therefore, the present article explores the indigenous methods and techniques, lifestyle and food habits, do’s and don’ts related to the cause, effect, and treatment of obesity among children. There are many treatments and techniques of obesity available and suggested in the literature. The present paper focuses only the indigenous treatment and techniques to address obesity among children.

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Marae Ora Kāinga Ora: Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Solutions via Time-Honored Indigenous Spaces

Genealogy ◽

10.3390/genealogy5040099 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 99

Author(s):

Jenny Lee-Morgan ◽

Kim Penetito ◽

Jo Mane ◽

Ngahuia Eruera

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Research Study ◽

Indigenous Health ◽

First Year ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Development Capacity ◽

Core Function ◽

Tribal Areas

Marae Ora, Kainga Ora (MOKO) is a three-year research study established as a marae-led intervention project to strengthen the provision of housing with five urban marae in South Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. In brief, marae are primarily places for cultural gatherings and are the centres of activity for Māori communities. Though just one of the marae involved is part of a pre-European tribal settlement, the four other marae were established to meet the cultural needs of Māori who had relocated many decades ago from their tribal areas outside of the Auckland region. The project works with Marae Research Coordinators (MRC) nominated by each marae to build research and development capacity and capability through the sharing of skills, information, and resources. Each MRC is affiliated with their respective marae, either through whakapapa (genealogical links) or through their contributions of service and leadership. The role of the MRC is critical in capturing the lived realities, experiences, and aspirations of their marae community. This was evident in the first year of the project (2020) when three of the five marae actively responded to the needs of their communities during COVID-19 lockdowns in Auckland. While the project has a housing focus, the marae involved demonstrate, in their own distinctive ways, how health and wellbeing is intrinsic to their core function.

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