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Colonization has negatively impacted Canada's Aboriginal people, with one of the consequences being loss of traditional knowledge, beliefs and practices, including traditional healing practices. In a study of two Ontario First Nations, the objectives of this research were to examine: (1) the extent of use of traditional healing practices, including traditional medicines and healers; (2) factors associated with their use and people's desire to use them; and (3) reasons for not using them among those who want to use them, but currently do not. Registered Band Members and volunteers from two First Nations communities (N = 613) participated in a well-being survey. About 15% of participants used both traditional medicines and healers, 15% used traditional medicines only, 3% used a traditional healer only, and 63% did not use either. Of those who did not use traditional healing practices, 51% reported that they would like to use them. Use was more common among men, older people, and those with more than high school education. Those who used traditional healing practices were found to have a stronger First Nations identity, better self-reported spiritual health, higher scores on historical loss and historical loss symptoms and higher levels of anxiety compared with people who did not use them. Common reasons for not using traditional practices were: not knowing enough about them, not knowing how to access or where to access them. These findings may be useful for promoting the use of traditional healing practices for the purpose of improving the health of First Nations people.
Colonization has negatively impacted Canada's Aboriginal people, with one of the consequences being loss of traditional knowledge, beliefs and practices, including traditional healing practices. In a study of two Ontario First Nations, the objectives of this research were to examine: (1) the extent of use of traditional healing practices, including traditional medicines and healers; (2) factors associated with their use and people's desire to use them; and (3) reasons for not using them among those who want to use them, but currently do not. Registered Band Members and volunteers from two First Nations communities (N = 613) participated in a well-being survey. About 15% of participants used both traditional medicines and healers, 15% used traditional medicines only, 3% used a traditional healer only, and 63% did not use either. Of those who did not use traditional healing practices, 51% reported that they would like to use them. Use was more common among men, older people, and those with more than high school education. Those who used traditional healing practices were found to have a stronger First Nations identity, better self-reported spiritual health, higher scores on historical loss and historical loss symptoms and higher levels of anxiety compared with people who did not use them. Common reasons for not using traditional practices were: not knowing enough about them, not knowing how to access or where to access them. These findings may be useful for promoting the use of traditional healing practices for the purpose of improving the health of First Nations people.
IntroductionWhile Indigenous communities have long recognized the importance of their languages for their wellbeing, this topic has only recently received attention in scholarship, research and public policy. This scoping review synthesizes and assesses existing literature on the links between Indigenous linguistic vitality and health or wellness in English-speaking settler colonial countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States).MethodsThe JBI methodology for scoping reviews was followed by an interdisciplinary research team. Key databases searched included MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Searches were restricted to English language literature. The last search was on February 8, 2021. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to categorize and elucidate the nature of the links reported.ResultsOver 10,000 records were reviewed and 262 met the inclusion criteria – 70% academic and 30% gray literature. The largest number of studies focus on Canadian contexts. 78% of the original research studies report only supportive links between Indigenous languages and health, while 98% of the literature reviews report supportive links. Linguistic vitality tends to support health and wellness outcomes, while the diminishment of languages is associated with worse health. The most prevalent links with linguistic vitality are healthcare outcomes, overall health and healing, and mental, cognitive, and psychological health and development. The results of the remaining original research studies were mixed (10%), statistically non-significant (6%), adverse (5%) and neutral (1%).ConclusionsThe results of this scoping review suggest that linguistic vitality is a determinant of health for Indigenous peoples in the contexts studied. Recommendations for harnessing the healing effects of language include increasing tangible support to language programs, delivering linguistically tailored health care and promotion, and advancing knowledge through funding relevant community-engaged research and education.Article HighlightsOur interdisciplinary authorship team conducted a scoping review involving the screening of nearly 10,000 publications.262 academic and grey literature reports were published between 1949-2019 which had a central focus on exploring the links between Indigenous languages and health.78% of original research studies and 98% of reviews report exclusively supportive links between linguistic vitality and the health and wellness of Indigenous peoples.Key areas linked to health include healthcare outcomes, overall health and healing, and mental, cognitive, and psychological health and development.Linguistic vitality is a determinant of health for Indigenous peoples and should be leveraged through supporting language programs, delivering linguistically tailored care, and funding community-engaged research and education.
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