“Land and health are intertwined, because land is the ultimate nurturer of the people” (Georgia Kyba, quoting an Indigenous Elder, 2014). The above statement emphasizes that, for many Indigenous peoples, connections with the land are essential for sustaining and upholding wellness.
Contemporary literature affirms that colonization explicitly sought to disconnect Indigenous peoples from their land and culture. It is recognized that this disconnection from land and culture, in combination with a number of other historical, socioeconomic and structural determinants, is an enabling factor in the current health inequities faced by many Indigenous communities in Canada (Alfred, 2009; King et al., 2009). If we are to address these health disparities, …show more content…
While diverse, land-based cultural wellness retreats are typically multiday excursions that take place “out on the land” and involve a variety of traditional practices based in Indigenous knowledges, spirituality, and ceremony (Lane et al., 2002). Activities and ceremonies vary based on the time of year, physical location, needs of the retreat participants and each community’s culture and traditions. However, Indigenous peoples, both historic and current, recognize that land-based cultural retreats are effective interventions for restoring and promoting physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness (Green, 2010; Greenwood & de Leeuw, 2007). Examples of such retreats and programs have been found in many Indigenous communities, where they have been used to empower youth, promote mental health and wellness and overcome addiction and substance misuse (Harder et al., 2015; Kanentakeron, 2006). Further, a recent study by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) on projects with promising healing practices revealed that 80% of programs considered effective included some type of cultural activity and traditional healing intervention (Archibald & Dewar, …show more content…
Most notably, a paucity exists in the literature related to the methodological and logistical issues associated with conducting land-based cultural retreats with Indigenous youth. Moreover, few studies have comprehensively evaluated these retreats with respect to eliciting positive mental health outcomes and reducing suicidality among Indigenous youth(Isaak et al,
Contemporary literature affirms that colonization explicitly sought to disconnect Indigenous peoples from their land and culture. It is recognized that this disconnection from land and culture, in combination with a number of other historical, socioeconomic and structural determinants, is an enabling factor in the current health inequities faced by many Indigenous communities in Canada (Alfred, 2009; King et al., 2009). If we are to address these health disparities, …show more content…
While diverse, land-based cultural wellness retreats are typically multiday excursions that take place “out on the land” and involve a variety of traditional practices based in Indigenous knowledges, spirituality, and ceremony (Lane et al., 2002). Activities and ceremonies vary based on the time of year, physical location, needs of the retreat participants and each community’s culture and traditions. However, Indigenous peoples, both historic and current, recognize that land-based cultural retreats are effective interventions for restoring and promoting physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness (Green, 2010; Greenwood & de Leeuw, 2007). Examples of such retreats and programs have been found in many Indigenous communities, where they have been used to empower youth, promote mental health and wellness and overcome addiction and substance misuse (Harder et al., 2015; Kanentakeron, 2006). Further, a recent study by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) on projects with promising healing practices revealed that 80% of programs considered effective included some type of cultural activity and traditional healing intervention (Archibald & Dewar, …show more content…
Most notably, a paucity exists in the literature related to the methodological and logistical issues associated with conducting land-based cultural retreats with Indigenous youth. Moreover, few studies have comprehensively evaluated these retreats with respect to eliciting positive mental health outcomes and reducing suicidality among Indigenous youth(Isaak et al,