Seeds of Decolonial Practice: An Autoethnographic Study of Settlers Working in Indigenous Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghan E. Fullerton
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Relationship ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Personal Transformation ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Cultural Narratives ◽  
Essential Component ◽  
Just Society

This autoethnographic study explores the process of cultivating a culturally safe and critically reflexive counselling practice in Indigenous contexts, an orientation that is imperative for settlers to work ethically with Indigenous clients, families, and communities. Any other approach risks recreating experiences of colonial violence in subtle or overt ways and eroding the therapeutic relationship. Research data generation included reflexive writing and interactive interviews with one female counselling therapists (aged 28) who, as a settler, has worked in multiple Indigenous communities. The analysis involved triangulation and using critical reflection and an understanding of cultural safety to interpret and learn from the data. Becoming unsettled is an emotionally evocative experience, but reflecting critically on discomforting emotions, reactions, and experiences is an essential component of personal transformation. Settlers cannot engage theoretically in decolonizing but rather must experience it first as individuals and then as ethically responsible citizens willing to challenge dominant cultural narratives and to help foster a more just society.

Barriers and Enablers to Older Indigenous People Engaging in Physical Activity—A Qualitative Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Margaret J.R. Gidgup ◽  
Marion Kickett ◽  
Tammy Weselman ◽  
Keith Hill ◽  
Julieann Coombes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Qualitative Systematic Review ◽  
Physical Activity Programs ◽  
Key Barrier ◽  
Appraisal Tool

The objective of this qualitative systematic review was to synthesize all evidence to understand the barriers and enablers to older Indigenous peoples (aged 40 years and older) engaging in physical activity. Four databases were searched. Study quality was assessed from an Indigenous perspective, using an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander quality appraisal tool. Data were analyzed using thematic synthesis. There were 4,246 articles screened with 23 articles and one report included from over 30 Indigenous communities across four countries. Cultural Safety and Security was a key enabler, including developing physical activity programs which are led by Indigenous communities and preference Indigenous values. Colonization was a key barrier that created mistrust and uncertainty. Social Determinants of Health, including cost, were supported by successful programs, but if not addressed, were demotivators of engagement. Older Indigenous peoples identified barriers and enablers that can direct the development of sustainable, culturally appropriate physical activity programs.

scholarly journals Making Research Data Accessible

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Kapiszewski ◽  
Sebastian Karcher
Keyword(s):  
Data Sharing ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Shared Data

This chapter argues that the benefits of data sharing will accrue more quickly, and will be more significant and more enduring, if researchers make their data “meaningfully accessible.” Data are meaningfully accessible when they can be interpreted and analyzed by scholars far beyond those who generated them. Making data meaningfully accessible requires that scholars take the appropriate steps to prepare their data for sharing, and avail themselves of the increasingly sophisticated infrastructure for publishing and preserving research data. The better other researchers can understand shared data and the more researchers who can access them, the more those data will be re-used for secondary analysis, producing knowledge. Likewise, the richer an understanding an instructor and her students can gain of the shared data being used to teach and learn a particular research method, the more useful those data are for that pedagogical purpose. And the more a scholar who is evaluating the work of another can learn about the evidence that underpins its claims and conclusions, the better their ability to identify problems and biases in data generation and analysis, and the better informed and thus stronger an endorsement of the work they can offer.

scholarly journals Developing the Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment for Use With Indigenous Older Anishinaabe Adults in Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Jacklin ◽  
Karen Pitawanakwat ◽  
Melissa Blind ◽  
Megan E O’Connell ◽  
Jennifer Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Advisory Council ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Local Health

Abstract Background and Objectives Dementia is a growing public health issue for aging Indigenous populations. Current cognitive assessments present varying degrees of cultural, educational, and language bias, impairing their application in Indigenous communities. Our goal is to provide Anishinaabe communities in Canada with a brief cognitive test that can be administered within the community setting by community health workers or professionals. The purpose of this study was to adapt the Kimberly Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (KICA) for use as a brief cognitive test with Anishinaabe populations in Canada. Research Design and Methods We used a community-based participatory research approach coupled with two-eyed seeing to provide an equitable space for Indigenous knowledge. Adaptation of the KICA was accomplished over 22 months using an iterative cycle of monthly consultations between an 11-member expert Anishinaabe language group (EALG) and the investigators, with ad hoc consultations with an Indigenous Elder, a community advisory council, and the KICA authors. Face validity was established with two pilot studies using cognitive interviewing with Indigenous older adults (n = 15) and a focus group consultation with local health professionals (n = 7). Results Each question of the KICA was scrutinized by the EALG for cultural appropriateness, language and translation, and cultural safety. Every domain required adaptation to reflect cultural values, specificity of language, tone, and a culturally safe approach. Orientation, verbal comprehension and fluency, praxis, and naming domains required the most adaptations. The first pilot for face validity resulted in additional changes; the second confirmed satisfactory adaptation of all changes. Discussion and Implications The research resulted in the new Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment. The findings reveal important cultural and linguistic considerations for cross-cultural cognitive assessment in Indigenous contexts. This new culturally appropriate and safe brief cognitive test may improve case finding accuracy and lead to earlier diagnosis and improved dementia care for Indigenous peoples.

scholarly journals Furthering Cultural Safety in Kidney Care Within Indigenous Communities: A Systematic Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Smith ◽  
Vanessa Silva e Silva ◽  
Kara Schick-Makaroff ◽  
Joanne Kappel ◽  
Jovina Concepcion Bachynski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Cultural Safety

scholarly journals Critical reflection for researcher–community partnership effectiveness: the He Pikinga Waiora process evaluation tool guiding the implementation of chronic condition interventions in Indigenous communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moana Rarere ◽  
John Oetzel ◽  
Bridgette Masters-Awatere ◽  
Nina Scott ◽  
Ray Wihapi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Chronic Condition ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Community Partnerships ◽  
Integrated Knowledge Translation

Critically reflecting on researcher–community partnerships is a key component in implementing chronic condition interventions in Indigenous communities. This paper draws on the results and learnings from a process evaluation that measures how well two research–community partnerships have followed the He Pikinga Waiora (HPW) Implementation Framework while co-designing chronic condition interventions in primary care. The HPW framework is centred on Indigenous self-determination and knowledge surrounded by community engagement, cultural centredness, systems thinking and integrated knowledge translation. The evaluation included in-depth interviews and online surveys with 10 team members. The findings demonstrate that the HPW framework was followed well, with strengths particularly in community engagement and relationship building. Areas for improvement included systems thinking and integrated knowledge translation to support sustainability of the interventions. The need for partnerships to use process evaluation results to support critical reflection is asserted, which helps build strong trust and synergy, power sharing and effective and sustainable implementation practices. It is concluded that the HPW framework is well suited to evaluating implementation of health interventions in primary care as it assists in the facilitation of better collaboration between researchers and Indigenous communities, and encourages the implementation team to reflect on power and privilege.

scholarly journals Genomic Research Data Generation, Analysis and Sharing – Challenges in the African Setting

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Mulder ◽  
Clement A. Adebamowo ◽  
Sally N. Adebamowo ◽  
Oladimeji Adebayo ◽  
Osimhiarherhuo Adeleye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Data ◽  
Genomic Research ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
African Setting

scholarly journals Traditional Indigenous Approaches to Healing and the modern welfare of Traditional Knowledge, Spirituality and Lands: A critical reflection on practices and policies taken from the Canadian Indigenous Example

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian A Robbins ◽  
Jonathan Dewar
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Traditional Healing ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Spiritual Revitalization

Traditional Indigenous Approaches to Healing and the modern welfare of Traditional Knowledge, Spirituality and Lands: A critical reflection on practices and policies taken from the Canadian Indigenous Example In order for traditional knowledge to be maintained and to develop, it has to be practiced. Traditional healing provides a vehicle for this to occur. In Canada, the spiritual revitalization of Indigenous communities and individuals often involves the use numerous components of traditional healing. These elements are reflected most clearly at the grassroots level, however, current Indigenous programs delivered by Indigenous and governmental agencies have made some accommodating efforts as well. Perhaps most importantly, traditional knowledge and Indigenous spirituality hinges on the maintenance and renewal of relationships to the land. Indigenous land bases and the environment as a whole remain vitally important to the practice of traditional healing. A focus on Indigenous healing, when discussing Indigenous knowledge systems and spirituality, is paramount today due to the large scale suppression of Indigenous cultural expressions during the process of colonization. With respect to policy, there appears to be a historical progression of perception or attitude towards Indigenous traditional healing in Canada from one of disfavour to one favour. There are nevertheless continuing challenges for traditional healing. Mainstream perceptions and subsequent policy implementations sometimes still reflect attitudes that were formulated during the decline of traditional healing practice during colonization processes. As a consequence the ability for particular communities to maintain and use their specific understandings of Indigenous knowledge continues encounter obstacles. Indigenous Knowledge systems are living entities and not relics of the past. Today, these knowledge systems are still greatly being applied to help Indigenous communities and Indigenous people recover from intergenerational pain and suffering endured during the colonization process. Future policy development and implementation should aim to support Indigenous peoples and communities when they decide to learn about, maintain and build upon the knowledge amassed by their ancestors.

scholarly journals An Approach to Improve Dementia Health Literacy in Indigenous Communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharlene Webkamigad ◽  
Wayne Warry ◽  
Melissa Blind ◽  
Kristen Jacklin
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Indigenous Perspectives

AbstractThis project aims to improve health literacy in Indigenous communities through the development of evidence-based culturally relevant health promotion materials on dementia that bridge the gap between Indigenous and Western perspectives of the illness. The research team worked in partnership with Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program (FNIHCC) and consulted with Indigenous elders to utilize a two-eyed seeing framework that draws upon Indigenous knowledge and Western biomedicine. A consolidated review of materials and research involving Indigenous perspectives of Alzheimer’s and age-related dementias led to the development of two culturally appropriate fact sheets. Two Indigenous-specific fact sheets were developed “What is Dementia? Indigenous Perspectives and Cultural Understandings” and “Signs and Symptoms of Dementia: An Indigenous Guide.” The fact sheets prioritize Indigenous knowledge and pay particular attention to Indigenous languages, diverse Indigenous cultures, and literacy levels. The content uses phrasing and words from Indigenous people involved in the research to share information. Biomedical concepts and words were included when necessary but language or presentation of these aspects were often modified to reflect Indigenous conceptualizations. This project provides a foundation for evidence-based knowledge translation in relation to cultural safety in dementia care. Specifically, the researchers outline how health care providers can develop culturally appropriate health promotion material, thus increasing Indigenous cultural understandings of dementia and health literacy.

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