Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing
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Investigating Māori approaches to trauma-informed care
Get PDFThis article gives an overview of a three year Health Research Council funded research project ‘He oranga ngākau: Māori approaches to trauma-informed care’. The study is informed by Kaupapa Māori which provides both the theoretical and methodological foundation for understanding the world, exploring and conceptualising issues. The need for contextualised and culturally safe health and social services is well recognised within Aotearoa and particularly within Mental Health and Addiction Services. While trauma is an experience that can impact on all people, Māori experience trauma in distinct ways that are linked to the experience of colonisation, racism and discrimination, negative stereotyping and subsequent unequal rates of violence, poverty and ill health. Given that Māori are impacted by trauma in specific ways, it is important to explore and identify practice principles that contribute to the development of a framework that supports Māori Providers, counsellors, clinicians and healers in working with Māori
An Evaluation of the National Empowerment Project Cultural, Social, and Emotional Wellbeing Program
Get PDF An array of cumulative risk and stress factors, and social inequities, have contributed to high suicides and family and community dysfunction, in two communities in Queensland. An independent, post-program evaluation of the National Empowerment Project (NEP) Cultural, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (CSEWB) Program specifically developed to address these issues was conducted in Kuranda and Cherbourg communities, Queensland in early 2017. Summaries of 153 stories of most significant change (SMSC) and 30 interviews undertaken with participants who completed the CSEWB program informed the evaluation. The evaluation assessed if, and how, the CSEWB program contributed to strengthening the cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing of participants, their families and communities. Participant’s interviews describe how the CSEWB Program significantly changed their lives and their families’ lives in various constructive and affirming ways to bring about positive outcomes. The extent of significant changes reported are compelling, and they highlight the need for greater government commitment to services and programs which address the social determinants influencing social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) within Indigenous communities around Australia
Developing an obesity-cancer intervention for workplaces: Indigenous, Native American, Māori and other minority occupational settings
Get PDFThere is growing evidence for links between obesity and certain types of cancer. Studies done within Native American, Māori, and other Indigenous populations suggest the need to promote healthier lifestyles, including the maintenance of optimal body weight through nutrition and physical activity, to lower the risk factors of obesity-related cancers. What is missing is a program that combines culturally attuned workplace interventions that deal with obesity reduction as it relates to cancer prevention. The main purpose of this project was to discuss the process of developing an employee assistance program module to reduce the risk for obesity-related cancers. Expert curriculum developers specialising in workplace disease management assisted with the creation of a unique obesity and cancer prevention program. Several national leaders in Indigenous and minority health were consulted for feedback. The completed intervention included a six-session model with cultural features wrapped around topics of obesity-related cancer warning signs, diet and physical activity guidance, stress management, goal-setting, and resource linkage. A Native American workplace was selected for feasibility and pilot testing. Preliminary results are also discussed. Ultimately, this paper presents a novel intervention approach to address health issues for Native Americans, with indicators for use in other Indigenous populations globally
Whanaungatanga: A space to be ourselves
Get PDFClinical engagement is often removed from everyday social processes familiar to Māori (indigenous people of Aotearoa [New Zealand]), as it can focus on health consumerism rather than communication and connection. The health encounter is not a routine social engagement, patients often feel unwell and experience a range of emotions; feeling unsure, vulnerable, nervous and out of their comfort zone. Patients are faced with health literacy (HL) demands, such as new information, words and concepts and may be faced with making quick decisions. Feeling guided, supported and safe are important factors in interactions with health professionals. Drawing on a literature review and some of the findings from a Kaupapa Māori Evaluation which analysed some participants’ perspectives of the effectiveness and impact of a cardiovascular disease (CVD) medicines health literacy intervention trial, this paper provides a distal understanding of interpersonal dynamics of HL that is vital to understanding how it might be more useful in the context of Māori communities. The paper highlights a shared health system experience expressed by CVD patients as their yearning for whanaungatanga (relationship, kinship, connection) and reciprocal and responsive relationships; a space to be ourselves, to be Māori
Ka taea e tātou, the Seventh Gathering sessions evaluation
Get PDFIn a world with a rapidly evolving technological landscape, Indigenous people are striving to reclaim and strengthen their traditional cultural knowledge bases for the wellbeing of their people. Currently, there is sparse literature on the use of technology in evaluation with indigenous people. This article provides an example of a Kaupapa Māori evaluation which utilised a novel technological approach to collect evaluation data from indigenous people, in a way that demonstrated Indigenous cultural values of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and improved understanding of the Seventh Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Gathering’s (Seventh Gathering) contribution to the wellbeing of its attendees. Specifically, the article describes the process undertaken to evaluate the sessions component of the Seventh Gathering, that was held in Aotearoa, over four days. The evaluation team describe the use of an iPad based mixed method e-survey to gain participant impressions about, and the benefits of, the Seventh Gathering sessions. This article will share benefits of the application used to build and run the survey; how participation in the survey was encouraged; as well as provide examples of the information gained. All of which is helpful for Indigenous people considering using this or similar technology to gain information about Indigenous wellbeing; as well as those seeking to run a similar event
Developing Leaders in Indigenous health: The Kalaupapa service learning project
Get PDFThe Kalaupapa service learning project engages indigenous and disadvantaged students in the cultural, historical, and modern day experiences of patients with Hansen’s disease (aka leprosy). The project offers an immersive, culturally-based, educational curriculum for students pursuing careers in medicine which culminates with a huakaʻi (excursion) to the Kalaupapa settlement.The Kalaupapa service learning project has been previously shown to enhance students’ knowledge related to humanism in medicine. This paper explores the potential of the Kalaupapa service learning project to increase student knowledge of indigenous perspectives and potentially contribute to their development as future leaders in indigenous health. Student participants completed written reflections that addressed student perspectives of the experience and community post-participation. A total of 41 student reflections (from 2008-2013) were analysed; and emerging themes across reflections were identified. Results showed that resiliency, unity, and personal relationships were prominent themes. For indigenous students, demonstrating resiliency, fostering personal relationships, and achieving unity among peers are significant contributors to student success. In addition, the experience may have reinforced students’ desire to serve rural and underserved communities. The Kalaupapa service learning project is an educational model that not only enhances future physicians' knowledge and awareness of humanism in medicine but also broadens the participants’ knowledge of indigenous values and perspectives and has the potential to develop future leaders in indigenous health
Gababala banma-li bumala-y gaalanha ngaawa-y guwaa-l: Healing through resistance and finding voice
Get PDFThe article discusses strategies in ways that Aboriginal groups in Australia are overcoming censorship imposed via the hegemonic principals of Western education, neoliberal control of the media and government sanctions against them. The narrative introduces autobiographical ethnicity as a unique research methodology that generates greater emphasis on the Indigenous voice rather than either autobiographic or ethnographic writing, in that it moves beyond the qualitative research method framed by anthropologists for which ethnographic studies was born. Autobiographical ethnicity originates from traditional forms of Aboriginal ceremony and storytelling, where deeper meaning is given to the Aboriginal experience rather than purely observational data as collected in ethnographic writing. As a form of research-based practice, autobiographical ethnicity creates greater accessibility to the Aboriginal writer in telling our stories and maintaining her (his) story our way
Solidarity, self-determination, and reflection – Editorial
Get PDFThe Second Edition of the Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing – Te Mauri: Pimatisiwin by Te Rau Matatini occurs at a significant time of our indigenous history; as the Sioux nation at Standing Rock and indeed all indigenous people of Turtle Island and around the globe look to supporting the protection and security of our traditional beliefs and values. The Second Edition mirrors this indigenous commitment in articulating solidarity, self-determination, and hope. Authors highlight the importance of the indigenous voice and control with respect to the delivery of health services, in the design and implementation of health literacy and addiction programmes, and in creating novel approaches to residing in greater harmony with animals. Halting family violence remains a challenge but encouraging resilience with youth brings hope. The topic of sexuality and intimate relationships opens a dialogue about our enactment of indigenous death rituals when things are different
Moehewa: Death, lifestyle & sexuality in the Māori world
Get PDFCustomary death ritual and traditional practice have continued for the Māori (indigenous) people of Aotearoa/New Zealand, despite intensive missionary incursion and the colonial process. This paper critically considers what occurs when the deceased is different, in a most significant way. What happens when you die – and you are Māori and any one, or a combination, of the following: a queen, takatāpui,[1] butch, like that, gay, she-male, lesbian, transsexual, a dyke, intersex, tomboy, kamp, drag, homosexual, or just queer? Who remembers you and how? Same sex relationships today are still discouraged or denied, although traditional chant and Māori visual narratives record such liaisons and erotic experience as joyously normal (Te Awekotuku, 2005). And yet some people choose to remain in the closet. In this paper, we present three case studies, and invite the reader to reflect with us on mourning rituals or tangi – Māori death rites, in a same sex relationship, or for a gay, lesbian or transsexual family member. In this way, we open up a space for dialogue about such matters in our intimate and kin communities.[1] We use the term takatāpui broadly to refer to people in relationships other than heterosexual (Te Rangikaheke, n.d; Te Awekotuku, 2001)