In this article, we share words spoken by Aboriginal elders from Saskatchewan, Canada, in response to the research question, “What would you like non-Aboriginal health care providers to know when providing end-of-life care for Aboriginal families?” Our purpose in publishing these results in a written format is to place information shared by oral tradition in an academic context and to make the information accessible to other researchers. Recent theoretical work in the areas of death and dying suggests that cultural beliefs and practices are particularly influential at the end of life; however, little work describing the traditional beliefs and practices of Aboriginal peoples in Canada exists to guide culturally appropriate end-of-life care delivery. Purposive sampling procedures were used to recruit five elders from culturally diverse First Nations in southern Saskatchewan. Key informant Aboriginal elder participants were videotaped by two Aboriginal research assistants, who approached the elders at powwows. Narrative analysis of the key informant interview transcripts was conducted to identify key concepts and emerging narrative themes describing culturally appropriate end-of-life health care for Aboriginal families. Six themes were identified to organize the data into a coherent narrative: realization; gathering of community; care and comfort/transition; moments after death; grief, wake, funeral; and messages to health care providers. These themes told the story of the dying person's journey and highlighted important messages from elders to non-Aboriginal health care providers.
This analysis of urban Indigenous women’s experiences on the Homeland of the Métis and Treaty One (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), Treaty Four (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada), and Treaty Six (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) territories illustrates that Indigenous women have recently experienced coercion when interacting with healthcare and social service providers in various settings. Drawing on analysis of media, study conversations, and policies, this collaborative, action-oriented project with 32 women and Two-Spirit collaborators demonstrated a pattern of healthcare and other service providers subjecting Indigenous women to coercive practices related to tubal ligations, long-term contraceptives, and abortions. We foreground techniques Indigenous women use to assert their rights within contexts of reproductive coercion, including acts of refusal, negotiation, and sharing community knowledge. By recognizing how colonial relations shape Indigenous women’s experiences, decision-makers and service providers can take action to transform institutional cultures so Indigenous women can navigate their reproductive decision-making with safety and dignity.
Introduction Canada’s colonial policies and practices have led to barriers for Indigenous older adults’ access to healthcare and research. As a result, there is a need for Indigenous-led research and culturally safe practices. Morning Star Lodge is developing a training module to assist AgingTech researchers on ethical, culturally safe ways to engage Indigenous communities. This includes exploring Indigenous health research, community-based partnerships, reciprocal learning, and cultural safety; this is presented through a case study on ethically engaged research. Methods Morning Star Lodge developed a research partnership agreement with File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council and established a Community Research Advisory Committee representing the eleven First Nations within the Tribal Council. The work designing the culturally safe training module is in collaboration with the Community Research Advisory Committee. Results Building research partnerships and capacities has changed the way the eleven First Nation communities within File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council view research. As a result, they now disseminate the Knowledge within their own networks. Conclusions Indigenous Peoples are resilient in ensuring their sustainability and have far more community engagement and direction. Developing culturally safe approaches to care for Indigenous communities leads to self-determined research. Culturally safe training modules can be applied to marginalized demographics.
The e-Learning Research Network recognizes the contribution of many in the evolution of the Research Network. The principal role of the Advisory Board has been, and is, to drive the overall intellectual direction of the Research Network. A full list of members can be found at http://ubi-learn.com/about/advisory-board.
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