Use of Traditional Healing Practices in Two Ontario First Nations

Abstract

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.

Traditional Indigenous medicine in North America: A scoping review

“…Also of note in this section of articles, was the subtle distinction between the terms ‘traditional healing’ compared to the actual using of ‘traditional medicines’. The core of ‘traditional healing’ was said to be or attaining spiritual ‘connectedness’, in which there were many stated ways for developing this in order to have a strong physical body and mind [ 52 ]. In essence, this ‘connectedness’ could be with or without the actual use of what we would call a ‘medicine’ in Western terms achieved instead through being in harmony with the natural environment, through fasting, prayer, or meditation, or through the use of actual ‘traditional medicines’ that could include plant- and herb-based medicines [ 52 ].…”

Our People, Our Health: Envisioning Better Primary Healthcare in Manitoba First Nation Communities

“…We know that First Nation people utilize traditional medicines and therapeutic practices (Colantonio & Rivers, 2017;Drost, 2019;Lans, 2016;Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996). Studies also share instances of people combining traditional remedies with mainstream approaches (Cook, 2005;George et al, 2018;Zubek, 1994) and finding them useful for their health and wellbeing. An integrated system would however require specific financial and technical supports for initiatives such as medical transportation to attend traditional healing practices and activities as necessary, remuneration for traditional medicine practitioners, and personnel to coordinate between traditional and allopathic medical care.…”

The rationale for developing a programme of services by and for Indigenous men in a First Nations community

“…Secondary analyses were conducted using data collected from two research studies in KSPFN: Researching Health in Ontario Communities—hereafter called “community survey” and the Consumer Journey—hereafter called “qualitative interviews.” Both studies focused on experiences of MSV and their inter-connectedness. In this article, we do not unpack the relationships between the three broad areas of MSV or examine them separately, because their interconnections are complex and, among Indigenous peoples, MSV issues are commonly rooted in colonialism, intergenerational trauma, past and present racism, and structural/systemic racism (Allan & Smylie, 2015; George et al, 2018). The following provides a brief description of the community survey and qualitative interviews.…”

“…The following provides a brief description of the community survey and qualitative interviews. More detail about the measures and questions in the survey and qualitative interviews can be found in George et al (2018).…”

“…The survey was conducted using a mobile research lab with a multidisciplinary team of staff from the community who collected social and epidemiological data using standardized data collection instruments and protocols. The community survey aimed to promote understanding of communities across Ontario, including First Nations communities by (a) examining the nature, extent, and associations between MSV, (b) identifying services commonly accessed by people who have MSV challenges, and (c) examining experiences of accessing and receiving care for MSV (George et al, 2018). The survey in KSPFN included standardized questions about MSV and service use.…”