Well-Being and Ethnic Identity Promotion for Aboriginal Youth: A Community Based Mixed Methods Study of Tribal Journeys

• Main Author: Smethurst, Tania
• Other Authors: Lalonde, Christopher Edward
• Language: English; en
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Aboriginal health; First Nations; Health promotion; Community based research; Suicide prevention; Depression prevention; Community Engagement; Population Health; Youth-At-Risk; Tribal Journeys; Wilderness programs; Evaluation tool; Coastal First Nations; British Columbia
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1828/4568

There are significant mental health disparities in Aboriginal communities in Canada as a result of historical assimilation policies (Health Canada, 2012). One approach to mitigating these mental health concerns is through prevention programs that include a wilderness component. Wilderness based programs for Aboriginal youth are informed by cultural wisdom and empirical research that connects immersion in nature with psychological well-being. The goal of this study was to collaborate with two community partners (Nala Winds canoe family from the Heiltsuk First Nation, and Victoria Native Friendship Centre) to develop an evaluation tool that will satisfy mainstream funding standards as well as community, cultural standards. This tool-kit was designed to reflect the youth experience and mental health consequences of Tribal Journeys, an annual canoe journey program for Coastal First Nations peoples. The findings were shared with community partners and may be helpful in facilitating the creation, maintenance, and evaluation of other Aboriginal youth programs. === Graduate === 0620 === 0347 === 0621 === [e-mail]