In this article we discuss findings from a community based, participatory action research study. The aim was to understand how Indigenous youth describe, experience, manage pain and hurt and how they seek care. A critical analysis guided by Two-Eyed Seeing and Medicine Wheel frameworks highlighted important clinical strategies for Indigenous youth to balance their health and reduce pain. This study is a partnership project with an Aboriginal Health Centre in Southern Ontario and the Canadian Institute of Health Research funded Aboriginal Children's Hurt and Healing Initiative (ACHH). The study gathered perspectives of Indigenous youth, Elders, and health clinicians using conversation sessions guided by a First Nations doctoral student and nurse researcher. Using the medicine wheel framework three main thematic areas emerged across the three groups and include (1) Predictors of Imbalance; (2) Indicators of Imbalance; and (3) Strategies to re-establish balance health in relation to pain. The main strategy includes considerations for clinicians using the acronym LISTEN (Language, Individual, Share, Teachable moments, Engage, and Navigate) approach that outlines strategies for clinicians that will be a safe guide to manage pain and hurt.

Background Web-based sources of health information are widely used by parents to support healthy parenting and aid in decision making about their infants’ health. Although fraught with challenges such as misinformation, if used appropriately, web-based resources can improve access to health education and promote healthy choices. How Indigenous mothers use web-based information to support their parenting and infants’ health has not yet been investigated; however, web-based modalities may be important methods for mitigating the reduced access to health care and negative health care interactions that many Indigenous people are known to experience. Objective This study aims to understand the experience of Indigenous mothers who use web-based information to support the health of their infants. Methods This interpretive description qualitative study used semistructured interviews and a discussion group to understand how Indigenous mothers living in Hamilton, Ontario and caring for an infant aged <2 years experienced meeting the health needs of their infants. The data presented reflect their experiences of using web-based sources of health information to support their infants’ health. The Two-Eyed Seeing approach was applied to the study design, which ensured that both western and Indigenous worldviews were considered throughout. Results A total of 19 Indigenous mothers participated in this study. The resulting 4 themes included distrusting information, staying anonymous, using visual information to support decision making, and accessing a world of experiences. Although fewer Indigenous mothers used web-based sources of information compared to mothers in the general population in other studies, tailoring web-based modalities to meet the unique needs of Indigenous mothers is an important opportunity for supporting the health and wellness of both mothers and infants. Conclusions Web-based information sources are commonly used among parents, and ever-evolving web-based technologies make this information increasingly available and accessible. Tailoring web-based modalities to meet the unique preferences and needs of Indigenous mothers is an important method for improving their access to reliable and accurate health care information, thereby supporting healthy parenting and promoting infant health.

Introduction Effective early childhood development interventions require a thorough understanding parental roles in supporting their infants’ health. Yet, the role of Indigenous fathers is not well illustrated within the literature. This scoping study synthesizes the roles that Indigenous fathers have in promoting the health and development of their infants, using an international perspective. Findings support future research to develop effective early childhood parenting interventions that address the unique needs of Indigenous fathers. Methods Scoping methodology was undertaken with inclusion criteria stipulating infants less than two years of age, and describing the role of Indigenous fathers (or father figures) in meeting the health and/or developmental needs of their infants. Descriptive and pattern coding were used during data extraction and synthesis. Collaboration with Indigenous community partners, including First Nations fathers, promoted ethical research conduct and findings framed within Indigenous ways of knowing. Results Findings highlight a journey to becoming a father, beginning with assuming a new identity as a father, establishing their fathering role, and supporting one another throughout the journey. This process has significant implications for a child’s development and wellbeing and related health policy. Conclusions This review synthesizes the experiences of Indigenous fathers across the globe, and while the journey is not fully understood, these initial findings are helpful to support future research and health policy. It is in the best interests of children if men are proactively supported in their transition to fatherhood as early as possible to promote a positive impact on their children’s development and future wellbeing.

Western health research’s approach to knowledge translation (KT) has been criticized by Indigenous scholars, leaders, and communities for its misalignment with Indigenous ways of knowing and relational approaches to sharing knowledge. Conversely, Indigenous KT is understood as ‘sharing what we know about living a good life’ (Kaplan-Myrth & Smylie, 2006). Whereas KT in Euro-Western science contexts focuses on closing the know-do gap implying a separation of knowledge and action, knowledge in the Indigenous context is inherently practical and based on centuries old practices including oral traditions, experiential knowledge, and cross-cultural sharing. This article describes the development of a decolonized KT strategy. This community-engaged KT initiative was developed at the suggestion of Indigenous mothers who participated in a research study in Hamilton, Canada, which examined their experiences using health care to meet the health needs of their infants. Indigenous mothers participated in three main roles related to the KT activities: sharing their story in video, participating as team members on an Advisory Board, and directing the creation of a video series and website educational resource (KT strategy). Five Indigenous mothers participated as members of the Advisory Board. The process of participating had positive impacts on the mothers, namely, empowerment, strength, ‘I am not alone’, and healing. These unexpected findings, which go beyond the original project purpose to create an educational resource, show the significant and important benefits for research participants, particularly those from Indigenous communities, to be involved in decolonized KT strategies.

Pain and culture are complex and multifactorial phenomena. The concepts are difficult to define and measure since they intersect with the biological, psychological, and social realms. Considering the intrinsic multidimensionality of each phenomenon, we are only beginning to understand the myriad ways in which culture may influence pain. Consequently, (1) the study of the relationship between culture and pain has been fraught with methodological and theoretical challenges; and (2) there is little evidence to support specific guidelines on how to assess and treat pain of specific cultural groups. Therefore, researchers face challenges in conducting research on pain with indigenous populations.