scholarly journals Shifting Narratives, Recognizing Resilience: New Anti-Oppressive and Decolonial Approaches to Ethnobotanical Research with Indigenous Communities in Canada

Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Joseph ◽  
Alain Cuerrier ◽  
Darcy Mathews
Keyword(s):  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Trauma Narratives ◽  
Land Access ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Cultural Systems ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
One Step ◽  
Political Act

Revitalizing Indigenous land-based practices are acts of resurgence and resistance. The presence of Indigenous bodies occupying land to nourish and strengthen themselves through ancestral practices is a political act. These cultural systems of knowledge and practice are in opposition to historical and ongoing colonial attempts to dispossess Indigenous Peoples of their connections to land. Indigenous People have undergone changes in diet and land access, including cultivating and harvesting plants for health and wellbeing. Recognizing and understanding the impacts and implications of colonization on land-based knowledge is fundamental in carrying out meaningful work within Indigenous communities in the field of ethnobotany. Much of the literature and media on Indigenous issues continue to uphold trauma narratives. When working with Indigenous communities on projects, it is essential to understand the history, impacts and ongoing struggles related to colonization and genocide in America in order to not cause harm and to contribute positively to those communities. Furthermore, by taking our responsibilities one step further, we can carry out research in trauma-informed ways while prioritizing anti-oppressive, decolonial and strength-based approaches to our research and collaborations with Indigenous communities. We illustrate these points through a community-based case study from the Squamish Nation in British Columbia, Canada.

scholarly journals Ketamine-Assisted and Culturally Attuned Trauma Informed Psychotherapy as Adjunct to Traditional Indigenous Healing: Effecting Cultural Collaboration in Canadian Mental Health Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Sherry-Anne Muscat ◽  
Geralyn Dorothy Wright ◽  
Kristy Bergeron ◽  
Kevin W. Morin ◽  
Courtenay Richards Crouch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Behavioral Systems ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Trauma Informed

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.

scholarly journals Identifying Environmental Determinants Relevant to Health and Wellbeing in Remote Australian Indigenous Communities: A Scoping Review of Grey Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4167
Author(s):  
Amal Chakraborty ◽  
Mark Daniel ◽  
Natasha J. Howard ◽  
Alwin Chong ◽  
Nicola Slavin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Environmental Determinants ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

The high prevalence of preventable infectious and chronic diseases in Australian Indigenous populations is a major public health concern. Existing research has rarely examined the role of built and socio-political environmental factors relating to remote Indigenous health and wellbeing. This research identified built and socio-political environmental indicators from publicly available grey literature documents locally-relevant to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Existing planning documents with evidence of community input were used to reduce the response burden on Indigenous communities. A scoping review of community-focused planning documents resulted in the identification of 1120 built and 2215 socio-political environmental indicators. Indicators were systematically classified using an Indigenous indicator classification system (IICS). Applying the IICS yielded indicators prominently featuring the “community infrastructure” domain within the built environment, and the “community capacity” domain within the socio-political environment. This research demonstrates the utility of utilizing existing planning documents and a culturally appropriate systematic classification system to consolidate environmental determinants that influence health and disease occurrence. The findings also support understanding of which features of community-level built and socio-political environments amenable to public health and social policy actions might be targeted to help reduce the prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases in Indigenous communities.

Translating Trauma-Informed Principles into Social Work Practice

Social Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-298
Author(s):  
Jill Levenson
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Trauma Narratives ◽  
Helping Relationship ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Trauma-informed social work is characterized by client-centered practices that facilitate trust, safety, respect, collaboration, hope, and shared power. Many agencies have adopted trauma-informed care (TIC) initiatives and many social workers are familiar with its basic principles, but it is challenging to infuse these ideals into real-world service delivery. This article offers 10 trauma-informed practices (TIPs) for translating TIC concepts into action by (a) conceptualizing client problems, strengths, and coping strategies through the trauma lens and (b) responding in ways that avoid inadvertently reinforcing clients’ feelings of vulnerability and disempowerment (re-traumatization). TIPs guide workers to consider trauma as an explanation for client problems, incorporate knowledge about trauma into service delivery, understand trauma symptoms, transform trauma narratives, and use the helping relationship as a tool for healing.

Aboriginal Wellbeing

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-133
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Martin ◽  
Jenni White ◽  
Susan Roberts ◽  
Zac Haussegger ◽  
Emily Greenwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Use Of Services ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Political Economic

The aim of this chapter is to contribute to addressing the gap between policy and practice for the development and implementation of accessible health and wellbeing organizations and practices from a culturally safe, trauma-informed approach. The objective is to increase use of services early on by Aboriginal people and ultimately to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. A targeted literature search identifies the main features of cultural safety and trauma-informed approaches followed by the presentation of a culturally safe, trauma-informed framework, and implementation plan. The literature on organizations is predominantly from Australia with the work of Michael Yellow Bird in the United States relied upon for the discussion of decolonization. For improved health and wellbeing outcomes with Aboriginal people, historical and contemporary political, economic, and social contextual factors relating to colonization must be acknowledged, and in the Australian context, particular attention must be given to the stolen generations.

Finding Strength in the Struggle

2020 ◽  
pp. 195-219
Author(s):  
Loni Crumb ◽  
Madeline Clark ◽  
Susan M. Long
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Health Disorders

Poverty is an intersectional issue, as children; women; men; people of color; people who identify as lesbian, gay, or transgender; and immigrant groups are all prone to experience the multifaceted impact of poverty. People who live in rural poverty are likely to experience more severe and persistent mental health disorders. This chapter provides an overview of how rural poverty impacts the mental health and wellbeing of diverse children and families. The authors discuss issues faced by residents living in rural poverty and provide multiple strength-based strategies that behavioral service providers can use to provide culturally relevant mental healthcare in impoverished rural communities. Lastly, the authors offer suggestions for future research.

Finding Strength in the Struggle

2021 ◽  
pp. 1012-1036
Author(s):  
Loni Crumb ◽  
Madeline Clark ◽  
Susan M. Long
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Health Disorders

Poverty is an intersectional issue, as children; women; men; people of color; people who identify as lesbian, gay, or transgender; and immigrant groups are all prone to experience the multifaceted impact of poverty. People who live in rural poverty are likely to experience more severe and persistent mental health disorders. This chapter provides an overview of how rural poverty impacts the mental health and wellbeing of diverse children and families. The authors discuss issues faced by residents living in rural poverty and provide multiple strength-based strategies that behavioral service providers can use to provide culturally relevant mental healthcare in impoverished rural communities. Lastly, the authors offer suggestions for future research.

Trauma-informed Care in the NICU – Implications for Parents and Staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Mary Coughlin McNeil
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Services Administration ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Trauma Informed

“The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk on water without getting wet. This sort of denial is no small matter”1The concept of trauma and traumatic stress emerged in the field of mental health over forty years ago and is a widespread public health concern.  The paradigm of trauma-informed care acknowledges that trauma and traumatic stress overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope while simultaneously changing their biology with both short term and lifelong implications for health and wellbeing. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was the first to implement a trauma-informed care framework which “(1) realizes the widespread impact of trauma; (2) recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others; (3) responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and (4) actively seeks to resist re-traumatization.”2

scholarly journals This Is My Grand Pa’s Land: Land, and Development Projects and Evictions along Morogoro Highway, Tanzania

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehema Godfrey Kilonzo
Keyword(s):  
Party System ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Political Issue ◽  
Land Access ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Laws And Policies ◽  
Customary Land

This article addresses one of the most contentious development and political issue facing Tanzania and many Southern African countries. The focus is on privatization of land as a result of neo-liberal economic reforms, evictions and conflicts generated. The study was conducted along Morogoro highway, in Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions. The study employed qualitative approaches where archival information, interview observations and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Key findings indicate that there is a gap between laws and policies of land, which are designed to protect customary land rights of indigenous communities and individuals, and the actual practices regarding land on the ground. Despite the multi-party system democratic reforms, ordinary people have not turned their elected representatives at the local, regional levels or NGOs as allies in the efforts to resist land evictions. To understand development as a concept and its outcome when translated into action, to see what is happening on the ground, I draw part of my arguments from Social Movements theories to understand local people’s reactions toward development programs that result into their evictions. The study also explored the relationship among key land stakeholders in Tanzania and analyzed how uncoordinated relationships and the state officials lead to conflict. The study revealed that there is gender inequality in land access and ownership and how women used their position as women to frame resistance and attract not only media but also government and international community. A central argument in this study is that for land development program to benefit the targeted population, all land actors from grassroots to top should be involved in the process.

Closing the Gap through Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility: Issues in the Evaluation of Programs for Indigenous Communities in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Markiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Closing The Gap ◽  
Time Frames ◽  
Future Program

This article outlines key considerations and issues inherent in undertaking effective evaluations of programs developed for Indigenous Australians, written from the perspective of a non-Indigenous evaluator. The considerations identified include a number of professional practice areas, namely the need for evaluators to: operate with an understanding and appreciation of the historical and systemic context experienced by Indigenous Australians; work from the basis of a solid code of ethics and practice standards; and operate with high levels of cultural sensitivity and the ability to appreciate Indigenous world views and differences. Another central consideration identified in the article is that evaluators need to hold a commitment to produce useful and useable evaluation findings that can inform future program design and social policy in relation to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. The article develops a number of principles for evaluators to follow in evaluating programs developed for Indigenous Australians. These include: having respect for the importance of historical, socioeconomic and psychological context; commitment to ensuring relevance in methodologies and approaches used; reciprocity in considering the benefits for participating Indigenous communities; and responsibility in undertaking effective communication and consultation. While most evaluators would agree with the above principles and values, the latter can be more challenging to apply in practice and examples of their application to evaluation, and the inherent challenges in the Indigenous context, are described. Such challenges include: operating within the restrictions of government silos with difficulties portraying the complex interrelationships that reflect the lives of Indigenous Australians; reaching consensus on evaluation design and implementation; working within restricted time frames with lack of opportunity to appreciate and reflect the unique differences among Indigenous communities across Australia; limitations inherent in engaging a broad and representative group of Indigenous stakeholders; and lack of control by the evaluator over the dissemination and influence of evaluation findings and results that link with subsequent decision-making processes.

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