Looking beyond the individual-The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Access to cultural activities and culturally relevant healthcare has always been significant for achieving holistic Indigenous health and continues to be a key factor in shaping the health journey of Indigenous individuals and communities. Previous research has indicated the importance of cultural practices and services in sustaining cultural identity for Indigenous peoples, which is a major influence on their wellbeing. This study marks the first phase in a project aimed at establishing an Indigenous healing program and uses a qualitative research approach to understand the health and cultural services that Indigenous women want and require in Thunder Bay, Ontario. During interviews, participants (n = 22) answered questions around their understandings of health and wellbeing, and how they are able to incorporate cultural practices into their circle of care. Thematic analysis was performed on interview transcripts, and 4 key themes were identified: 'independence and self-care', 'external barriers to accessing services', 'finding comfort in the familiar' and 'sense of community'. Together these themes illustrate how Indigenous women feel a strong sense of personal responsibility for maintaining their health despite the multiple environmental factors that may act as barriers or supports. Furthermore, the necessity of embedding cultural practices into Indigenous women's circle of care is highlighted by the participants as they describe the mental, spiritual, social, and emotional health benefits of engaging in cultural activities within their community. The findings demonstrate the need for current modes of care to look beyond the individual and consider the impacts that socio-environmental factors have on Indigenous women. To accomplish this, we hope to increase access to health and cultural services through the creation of an Indigenous healing program that can be adequately incorporated into Indigenous women's circle of care if they wish to do so.

The impact of a stress management intervention including cultural components on stress biomarker levels and mental health indicators among indigenous women.

We examined the effectiveness of a 26-week culture-inclusive intervention on reducing salivary stress biomarker levels, and perceived stress, depressive, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms measured using scales in 53 Indigenous women in Ontario, Canada. Statistical analyses compared the average biomarker levels, and the area under the curve (AUC) of biomarkers. Differences in biomarkers and mental health scale scores pre- and post-intervention were compared using mixed models with a random intercept. Interaction terms were included between the intervention and age, education, disability, and HIV status, individually, to test for sub-group differences. Cortisol AUC post-intervention was decreased compared to pre-intervention (ß -1.29 µg/dL; 95%CI -2.35, -0.23). There was a slight decrease in perceived stress levels (aOR: -2.80; 95%CI -5.09, -0.50). The associations were stronger among women of younger age, higher education, and no disabilities. These interventions can be effective, but future interventions should target Indigenous population sub-groups to address individual needs.

Decolonizing Scoping Review Methodologies for Literature With, for, and by Indigenous Peoples and the African Diaspora: Dialoguing With the Tensions.

This article summarizes our deepened understanding of decolonizing research with, for, and by Indigenous peoples and peoples of African descent that emerged from conducting a scoping review of the methodological literature and reflecting on our review process. Although our review identified decolonizing methodologies as a promising approach, we questioned if our scoping review process engaged in decolonizing knowing. To unpack the epistemological tensions between decolonizing knowing and Western ways of doing scoping reviews, we engaged in individual and collective reflective processes- dialoguing with the tensions-moving from individual immersion in the literature to transformative dialogues among the team. In reflecting upon our tensions with the scoping review process, themes that emerged included (a) ontological/epistemological disjunctures, (b) tensions with concepts and language, and (c) relationships with the literature and beyond. This reflexive process provides valuable insight into ways in which review methods might be made a decolonizing research experience.