Promoting global health and well-being of Indigenous youth through the connection of land and culture-based activism

Abstract

This research explores and supports the importance of Indigenous cultural knowledge and practices as guiding factors in understanding the agency and actions of Indigenous youth in seeking justice while journeying across the land. The article examines the work of Indigenous scholars and the significance of Indigenous knowledge in connecting to the land and natural environment, thus contributing to 'being alive well'. An example from Indigenous youth-focused research is highlighted to hear from the youth about the importance of being on ancestral land, journeying with peers and more importantly (re)gaining a sense of well-being and health through culture-based activism.

A Journey of Learning: Relations With the Land, Environmental Violence and Dispossession and Decolonizing Social Work

“…Many of the articles I reviewed made reference to the important role the environment has within Indigenous culture and the interwoven nature of Indigenous worldview and wellness. This includes the wellbeing of the land being connected to individual and community wellbeing (Anderson, 2010;Freeman, 2019;McGregor, 2016;Isaak & Marchessault, 2008, as cited in Tobias, & Richmond, 2014, p. 26). Furthermore, a theme arose in the literature which included the understanding that for many folks, there is an important spiritual connection with the natural environment which relates to worldview and identity (Absolon, 2009;Anderson, 2010;Baskin, 2016;Freeman, 2019, p. 19;Hart, 2009;McGregor, 2004;McGregor, 2016;Richmond, 2018;Tobias & Richmond, 2014;Wilson, 2008).…”

“…Many of the articles I reviewed for this project recognized the negative impacts the environment is experiencing which have brought direct risks of health concerns, or impacts on the cultural wellbeing and/or lifestyle of Indigenous communities and individuals (Corntassel, & Hardbarger, 2019, p. 88;Golden et al, 2015, p. 407;Freeman, 2019;Hoover, 2013;Tobias, & Richmond, 2014). These negative impacts also include effects on wild life (Hoover, 2013).…”

“…Several studies spoke of acts of resistance and/or resilience by Indigenous folks related to the land and water (Simpson, 2017, as cited in Corntassel, & Hardbarger, 2019, p. 91;Golden et al, 2015;Lowan-Trudeau, 2017, p. 99-100;Richmond, 2018, p. 181;Tobias, & Richmond, 2014, p. 28). Further, some articles land-based connections as a method of connecting with culture (Corntassel, & Hardbarger, 2019, Freeman, 2019Tobias, & Richmond, 2014.). For me, it was important to recognize that this engagement with culture and resurgence through land/water protection may be taking place through resistance efforts which are involuntary (given responsibility which some folks may experience and/or carry) (McGregor, 2004, p. 388), and come with serious risks of reprisal from the colonial state and its' legal system (Crosby, & Monaghan, 2018).…”

Urban Land-Based Healing: A Northern Intervention Strategy

“…Connection to the land has been a known facet of Indigenous culture for millennia (Freeman, 2019). From an ontological perspective, the land in the Indigenous cultural paradigm cannot be separated from oneself.…”

Assessment of Ecosystem Services and Capabilities of Communities from different Scales and Niches - Implications on Sustainability Goals

“…As for the ILCs, the known capabilities (Sangha & Russell-Smith, 2017;Sangha et al, 2018) of the ILCs as a result of their long-term relationships with their ecosystems are enlisted. Such capabilities of the ILCs have been demonstrated to be useful in dealing with ecological restoration and managing ecosystems for the purposes of conservation (Benyei et al, 2019; in addition to contributing to the well-being of the ILCs themselves (Freeman, 2019;Sangha et al, 2015).…”