Understanding the intergenerational effects of colonization: Aboriginal women with neurological conditions—their reality and resilience

Abstract

The "Understanding from Within" (UFW) project was part of the National Health Population Study of Neurological Conditions (NHPSNC), a 4-year study aimed at better understanding the scope of neurological conditions in Canada, and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The goal of the UFW project was to develop a better understanding of how Aboriginal people conceptualize neurological conditions and the impacts on their families and communities, and the resources and supports needed to provide culturally safe and appropriate care. The research was qualitative and used an Indigenous Research Methodologies (IRM) approach to guide the design, collection of data, and analysis. Two methods were used to collect information: in-depth interviews and research circles (focus groups). A total of 80 people participated in the research, 69 women and 11 men. In-depth interviews were undertaken with key informants (22), with Aboriginal people living with a neurological condition (18), and with Aboriginal people caring for someone with a neurological condition (40). This paper examines the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impacts of neurological conditions on Aboriginal people, primarily women. It also examines other themes that emerged from the narratives, including recommendations to healthcare providers and cross-cutting themes that are relevant to culturally safe care and how it relates to neurological conditions.

Culturally Safe Health Initiatives for Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A Scoping Review

“…Collaboration/partnerships with members of Indigenous communities should be used to inform health program design and development for CS to occur in health initiatives (HCC, 2012; Hole et al., 2015; Métis Centre of the National Aboriginal Health Organization [MCNAHO], 2013). Within a culturally safe health initiative, relationships among health-care providers and participants should incorporate both trust and respect; this is often developed over time by culturally competent health-care providers (Di Lallo, 2014; HCC, 2012; MCNAHO, 2013) who have respectful attitudes and values, and respect for the patient’s lifestyle and choices (Bourassa, Blind, Dietrich, & Oleson, 2015). Authors have suggested that embracing and incorporating Indigenous knowledge, informed by community members themselves, allows for a productive balance of biomedical and Indigenous ideas informing health care (Brooks-Cleator & Giles, 2016; Di Lallo, 2014; Ziabakhsh, Pederson, Prodan-Bhalla, Middgah, & Jinkerson-Brass, 2016).…”

“…The theme of power sharing includes examining the distribution of power and empowering the patient. Providers of culturally safe interventions need to recognize their power and privilege and how it is inherent to the health-care structure within a postcolonial society (Bourassa et al., 2015; Giles, Hognestad, & Brooks, 2015). The practice of allowing patients to share in decision-making was recognized as a possible method to better distribute power (Di Lallo, 2014; Monchalin, Lesperance, & Logie, 2016).…”

“…Empowerment of patients can occur when a patient’s strengths are viewed as a resource. Strength-based theories are essential to culturally safe health initiatives and are appropriate foundations for program design (Bourassa et al., 2015; Jongbloed et al., 2016). Equally, patient empowerment includes patients having the sole capacity to define whether their interactions with a health-care provider were culturally safe (Brascoupé & Waters, 2009; Giles & Darroch, 2014; Maar et al., 2009).…”

The Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadian Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Women Abused by Intimate Partners

“…Anderson, Kubik, & Hampton, 2010), violence against women of Indigenous background and its consequences remain of great concern. The multiple forms of oppression and abuse are associated with serious physical and mental health problems for Indigenous women (Bourassa, Blind, Dietrich, & Oleson, 2015; Kubik, Bourassa, & Hampton, 2009), including addictions (Firestone, Tyndall, & Fischer, 2015). Some characterize the mental health problems as “complex trauma” (Söchting, Corrado, Cohen, Ley, & Brasfield, 2007), while others describe it as “intergenerational trauma” (Roy, Noormohamed, Henderson, & Thurston, 2015).…”

Correctional social work with Canada's Indigenous people.

“…Many ideological perspectives, ideologies, and worldviews that are colonial and/or Westernized in nature are still being forced upon First Nation, Métis, and Inuit persons and their belief systems and practices continue to be disrespected through racist polices, legal systems and structural institutions (Baskin, 2011). This perpetuates oppressive structures and policies, such as laws and regulations, which disproportionately harm Indigenous persons (Bourassa, Blind, Dietrich & Oleson, 2015). Such marginalizing laws have created a strong distrust and reluctance from Aboriginal groups towards non Aboriginal people, governments and institutions.…”