scholarly journals Student Health and Well-Being in Indigenous Communities: “No One Is Healed Until Everyone Is Healed”

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Maggie MacDonnell
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Drop Out Rate ◽  
School Drop Out ◽  
Mcgill University

In this interview, Maggie MacDonnell, recipient of the 2017 Global Teacher Prize, discusses how growing up near a First Nations reserve in Nova Scotia opened her eyes to inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. She talks about the influence of Moses Coady, who instilled in her an appreciation for co-operative development, and T’hohahoken Michael Doxtater, an Indigenous scholar at McGill University, whose message, “No one is healed until everyone is healed,” she did not fully appreciate until she began working in the Inuit village of Salluit. She describes the life situation of the youth living in this kind of closed community where addiction and violence often become part of their everyday experience. Her interventions with this group of at-risk youth have helped decrease the school drop-out rate, improve students’ work and social skills, and raise awareness about suicide prevention. She concludes by giving advice to teachers who may be interested in working with students in remote communities.

WHY IS THE SCHOOL DROP-OUT RATE SO HIGH?

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-336
Author(s):  
Student
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Fifth Grade ◽  
Drop Out Rate ◽  
School Drop Out ◽  
Positive Statements ◽  
Negative Statements ◽  
Years Of Schooling

Eighty percent of students entering school feel good about themselves and who they are. By the fifth grade only 20 percent have high self-esteem. By the time students become seniors in high school, the percentage who have managed to keep a positive level of self-esteem has dropped to 5 percent. Students encounter the equivalent of 60 days each year reprimanding, nagging and punishment. During 12 years of schooling a student is subject to 15,000 negative statements. That's three times the amount of positive statements received.

STUDENTS' WELL-BEING, COPING, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND SCHOOL CLIMATE

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 919-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viive-Riina Ruus ◽  
Marika Veisson ◽  
Mare Leino ◽  
Loone Ots ◽  
Linda Pallas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
School Climate ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Important Conclusion ◽  
School Drop Out ◽  
Teachers Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Students

This article presents the results of a student survey conducted in 2004 at Tallinn University within the framework of the project “School as a developmental environment and students' coping.” The questionnaire was completed by 3,838 7th, 9th and 12th grade students from 65 Estonian schools. The project arose from the need to prevent students from school drop-out and repeating grades. The main hypothesis was that by modifying a school's social climate, one can either help or disable the development of students' constructive coping strategies and thus support, or not, students' academic success. Our most important conclusion is that the school climate parameters, especially the school value system and teachers' attitudes toward students as perceived by the latter, influence students' optimistic acceptance of life, their psychological and physiological well-being, and academic success.

scholarly journals Measuring What Counts to Advance Indigenous Self-Determination: A Case Study of the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government’s Quality of Life Framework and Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Bouchard ◽  
Adam Perry ◽  
Shannon West-Johnson ◽  
Thierry Rodon ◽  
Michelle Vanchu-Orosco
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Participatory Approach ◽  
Self Determination

Abstract Modern Treaties are presented as a means for improving the lives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada by providing specific rights, and negotiated benefits. However, the positive impacts of Modern Treaties on Indigenous well-being are contested (Borrows and Coyle 2017; Coulthard 2014; Guimond et al. 2013; Miller 2009; Poelzer and Coates 2015). Developing a more transparent, consistent, collaborative and contextual way of measuring well-being relevant to the cultural realities of Modern Treaty beneficiaries is an important step for generating comparative methods that could systematically demonstrate whether, and under what conditions, such agreements can effectively reduce socio-economic disparities and improve the quality of life of Indigenous communities. The authors first examine previous attempts at measuring Indigenous well-being, then reflect on well-being in relation to the Modern Treaty context. Subsequently, the authors provide an example from one Self-Governing Indigenous Government, the Nisga’a Lisims Government, to collect well-being data through the Nisga’a Nation Household Survey using a mixed quantitative-qualitative method developed through a culturally grounded and participatory approach.

scholarly journals International Teen Reproductive Health and Development: The Canadian First Nations Context

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Mann
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
International Context ◽  
Service Barriers ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Sensitive Issues

Women’s well-being is dependent on access to reproductive health care. Around the world, however, many women do not have adequate access to this essential health service. Barriers to accessing reproductive health services are especially problematic for Canadian First Nations youth, especially those living in rural and remote communities. This article explores the unique challenges of and approaches to teen reproductive health and sustainable development internationally. The international context of reproductive health and sustainable development can inform and set the context for a discussion of Canadian First Nations teens’ reproductive health. Of special interest is how the United Nations and the international community approached sensitive issues and generated consensus among many different countries, cultures, religions, and customs.

scholarly journals Applying Intervention Mapping to Improve the Applicability of Precious Memories, an Intervention for Depressive Symptoms in Nursing Home Residents

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 5163
Author(s):  
Iris van Venrooij ◽  
Jan Spijker ◽  
Gerben J. Westerhof ◽  
Ruslan Leontjevas ◽  
Debby L. Gerritsen
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Mapping ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Review ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Drop Out Rate ◽  
Selection Of

Precious memories (PM) is a life review intervention for depression in older adults with no to mild cognitive decline that has been implemented in multiple nursing homes (NHs) in the Netherlands. Previous research suggested its relevance but questioned its applicability. Therefore, this research aimed to (1) investigate the applicability of PM, and (2) increase its applicability, if necessary. Intervention mapping (IM) was used to achieve these goals: process evaluation through semi-structured interviews with psychologists (n = 11) and clients (n = 2) to identify potential improvements for PM and to set an improvement goal (IM-step 1); three focus groups with stakeholders (n = 20) to specify behaviors necessary to reach the improvement goal (IM-step 2); and selection of behavior change techniques and applications to facilitate attainment of these behaviors (IM-step 3). Results showed that psychologists perceived a high drop-out rate, which was partly due to PM being provided to clients that did not belong to the target group. Although PM was generally considered relevant, psychologists articulated its longer-term effects should be improved. To improve PM’s applicability, concrete maintenance strategies were developed aiming to maintain clients’ well-being by stimulating positive contact with others. Future research must pilot, implement and evaluate these strategies.

scholarly journals Effects of exercise on fitness and cognition in progressive MS: a randomized, controlled pilot trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Briken ◽  
SM Gold ◽  
S Patra ◽  
E Vettorazzi ◽  
D Harbs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Drop Out Rate

Background: Exercise may have beneficial effects on both well-being and walking ability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Exercise is shown to be neuroprotective in rodents and may also enhance cognitive function in humans. It may, therefore, be particularly useful for MS patients with pronounced neurodegeneration. Objective: To investigate the potential of standardized exercise as a therapeutic intervention for progressive MS, in a randomized-controlled pilot trial. Methods: Patients with progressive MS and moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 4–6) were randomized to one of three exercise interventions (arm ergometry, rowing, bicycle ergometry) for 8–10 weeks or a waitlist control group. We analyzed the drop-out rate as a measure of feasibility. The primary endpoint of the study was aerobic fitness. Secondary endpoints were walking ability, cognitive function as measured by a neuropsychological test battery, depression and fatigue. Results: A total of 42 patients completed the trial (10.6% drop-out rate). Significant improvements were seen in aerobic fitness. In addition, exercise improved walking ability, depressive symptoms, fatigue and several domains of cognitive function. Conclusion: This study indicated that aerobic training is feasible and could be beneficial for patients with progressive MS. Larger exercise studies are needed to confirm the effect on cognition. Trial Registration: ISRCTN (trial number 76467492) http://isrctn.org

scholarly journals Consequences and Remedies of Indigenous Language Loss in Canada

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Masud Khawaja
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Indigenous Languages ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Language Loss ◽  
Intergenerational Knowledge

Many Indigenous languages in Canada are facing the threat of extinction. While some languages remain in good health, others have already been lost completely. Immediate action must be taken to prevent further language loss. Throughout Canada’s unacceptable history of expunging First Nations’ ways of life, systemic methods such as residential schools attempted to eradicate Indigenous cultures and languages. These efforts were not entirely successful but Indigenous language and culture suffered greatly. For Indigenous communities, language loss impaired intergenerational knowledge transfer and compromised their personal identity. Additionally, the cumulative effects of assimilation have contributed to poor mental and physical health outcomes amongst Indigenous people. However, language reclamation has been found to improve well-being and sense of community. To this objective, this paper explores the historical context of this dilemma, the lasting effects of assimilation, and how this damage can be remediated. Additionally, we examine existing Indigenous language programs in Canada and the barriers that inhibit the programs’ widespread success. Through careful analysis, such barriers may be overcome to improve the efficacy of the programs. Institutions must quickly implement positive changes to preserve Indigenous languages as fluent populations are rapidly disappearing.

scholarly journals Challenges of WASH in remote Australian Indigenous communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Lansbury Hall
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
The Status ◽  
Access And Quality

Abstract Health and well-being are influenced by access and quality to safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and hygiene practices and settings. This is recognised in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for water and health. As a signatory to the UN Goals, Australia has a commitment to ensure the access and quality of these resources is attained for all, including Indigenous Australians living in remote communities. This research sought to identify the status of water, sanitation and hygiene services within remote communities on mainland Australia. Interviews were conducted with representatives of organisations providing water, sanitation and/or hygiene to communities. The quality and access of WASH services in remote Indigenous communities were revealed in this research as lacking at times in many communities. The qualitative results indicate that drinking water supplies can be contaminated by microbes or naturally occurring chemicals, wastewater treatment can be poorly maintained with irregular monitoring, and the health of residents is negatively impacted by crowding in houses, which affects residents' ability to maintain healthy hygiene levels of people, clothing, bedding and infrastructure. Effective responses require a collaborative and systemic approach by the respective government agencies responsible that effectively partner with – and adequately fund – Indigenous communities to provide options that are ‘fit for purpose, place and people’.

Identification of Potential Aggressive Behavior in Rural At-Risk Minority Youth: A Community Response

1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Laurence Armand French ◽  
Richard F. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
School Violence ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Urban School ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
School Drop Out

School violence has emerged as a critical issue in the U.S. today. While the focus was traditionally on urban school and gangs, recent shootings in suburban and rural schools has brought attention to non-urban school settings. This is a study of a rural, multicultural state with a high at-risk youth population. New Mexico has the highest Hispanic population (38%) as well as a high American Indian representation (22 different tribes). Ranking high in youth violence, substance abuse, poverty, teen pregnancies, and with a significant school drop-out rate, a multicultural intervention effort was initiated to address this phenomenon. The program involves cutlural-centric approaches involving families, schools, and the juvenile justice system.

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