Land-Based Intervention: a Qualitative Study of the Knowledge and Practices Associated with One Approach to Mental Health in a Cree Community

DOI

10.1007/s11469-018-9996-3

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-1-2020

Publication Title

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

Volume

18

Issue

1

First Page

207

Last Page

221

ISSN

15571874

Keywords

Aboriginal, Canada, Decolonizing research, Healing, Indigenous, Intergenerational trauma, Intervention, Land based, Mental health, Phenomenology, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Qualitative, Treatment, Well-being

Abstract

This project is a qualitative study of a land-based intervention used in an Indigenous community in northern Ontario. As previous research suggests, a sense of connection to the land is an integral part of Indigenous well-being, and mental health interventions centered around this connection may be more appropriate for use in Indigenous communities than Western treatment approaches that typically emphasize individuality. The present study gains further insight into how a land-based intervention can be applied to an Indigenous community. Interviews with three community members were conducted and summarized in order to understand their views on the background, components, advantages, and challenges of the program. Results showed a focus on strengthening cultural identity, facilitating intergenerational knowledge transfer, and building relationships with others, similar to other land-based programs across Canada. The importance of reconnecting Indigenous youth with their cultural heritage and developing community-centered programs are discussed.

Open Access

Hybrid_Gold

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