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 p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9977040/?tool=EBI |
| _version_ | 1811160075666980864 |
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| author | Jonathan C. Lin Elaine Toombs Chris Sanders Candida Sinoway Marni Amirault Christopher J. Mushquash Linda Barkman Melissa Deschamps Meghan Young Holly Gauvin Anita C. Benoit |
| author_facet | Jonathan C. Lin Elaine Toombs Chris Sanders Candida Sinoway Marni Amirault Christopher J. Mushquash Linda Barkman Melissa Deschamps Meghan Young Holly Gauvin Anita C. Benoit |
| author_sort | Jonathan C. Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:52:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0c21dd2deca24fd9a076eedb28e1f51d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:52:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-0c21dd2deca24fd9a076eedb28e1f51d2023-03-04T05:31:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01183Looking beyond the individual–The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, OntarioJonathan C. LinElaine ToombsChris SandersCandida SinowayMarni AmiraultChristopher J. MushquashLinda BarkmanMelissa DeschampsMeghan YoungHolly GauvinAnita C. BenoitAccess 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.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9977040/?tool=EBI |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan C. Lin Elaine Toombs Chris Sanders Candida Sinoway Marni Amirault Christopher J. Mushquash Linda Barkman Melissa Deschamps Meghan Young Holly Gauvin Anita C. Benoit Looking beyond the individual–The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, Ontario PLoS ONE |
| title | Looking beyond the individual–The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| title_full | Looking beyond the individual–The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| title_fullStr | Looking beyond the individual–The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| title_full_unstemmed | Looking beyond the individual–The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| title_short | Looking beyond the individual–The importance of accessing health and cultural services for Indigenous women in Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| title_sort | looking beyond the individual the importance of accessing health and cultural services for indigenous women in thunder bay ontario |
| url | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9977040/?tool=EBI |
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