The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples

A special issue of Genealogy (ISSN 2313-5778).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 6616

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4365, USA
Interests: community systems; workforce development; medical humanities

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Genealogy invites essays on the topic, “The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples”. We invite contributors to examine the ways in which individual, community and environmental health affect human and non-human persons and how individuals, communities, nations and ecology work to promote health and wellbeing among Indigenous Peoples. We also invite exploration of Indigenous determinants and indicators of health as well as specifically Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing in relation to health and wellbeing. We define health and wellbeing broadly as the balance among multiple interconnected dimensions of wellbeing (e.g., spiritual, physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, etc.) and the environment through, between, and within generations.

This Issue aims to fully recognize cultural perspectives in health and include works that demonstrate the strengths of Indigenous Peoples, including stories of individual healing practices, traditional medicine, workforce development, community-based/culture-based initiatives, health interventions, and transformative legal or policy decisions. We invite scholars from across disciplines (including art, ecology, ethnic studies, history, humanities, law, medicine, political science, psychology, public health, sociology, etc.) to share original research, reflective essays, case studies, and scoping reviews in relation to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples.

We encourage submissions from Indigenous Peoples that explore Indigenous perspectives, paradigms, pedagogy, practices, principles and protocol that helps to reclaim and restore Indigenous health and wellbeing. Of particular interest is research and practice that is conducted by, grounded in or engaged with Indigenous nations, corporations, communities, villages, societies or individuals, and their wisdom, knowledge, experiences or cultures. Some potential areas of focus may include the following, although other submissions are welcome encouraged:

  • Expressions of health (artistic, linguistic, other);
  • Indigenous health professions workforce development;
  • Health concerns among Indigenous Peoples (e.g., cancer, unintentional injuries, heart disease, diabetes, suicide);
  • Health research methods employed by Indigenous Peoples (e.g., Indigenous research, community-based participatory research, arts-based research);
  • Systems, programs, practices, principles, policies or protocols that impact the health of Indigenous Peoples (e.g., cultural protocols, Indian Health Service, ICWA, etc.);
  • Spiritual health;
  • Cultural health;
  • Two-Spirit health;
  • Maternal and child health;
  • Men’s health;
  • Elder health.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 400–600 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor ([email protected]) or to the /Genealogy/ editorial office ([email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the guest editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer-review.

Wado,
Thank you,
Regina Idoate

Dr. Regina Idoate
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genealogy is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • indigenous peoples
  • indigenous health
  • indigenous health research
  • indigenous health professions workforce
  • indigenous wellbeing

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 200 KiB  
Article
An Exploratory Pilot Qualitative Study That Explores the Influences on Mental Health and Well-Being in Indigenous Youth and Young Adults
by Mona J. Zuffante
Genealogy 2024, 8(4), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8040142 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 616
Abstract
Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among American Indian (AI) adolescents and young adults in the 15- to 24-year-old age group and is the third leading cause of death in the 10- to 14-year-old age group. Methods: Key [...] Read more.
Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among American Indian (AI) adolescents and young adults in the 15- to 24-year-old age group and is the third leading cause of death in the 10- to 14-year-old age group. Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted with AI youth (n = 10) ages 12–18, and young AI adults (n = 10) ages 19–24 to gather input on activities and programs to decrease AI suicidal-related behaviors in Nebraska. These interviews were 45 min in length at maximum. Themes were created once the interviews were completed. Results: The overarching theme was creating and implementing more suicide prevention programs and cultural activities for these age groups. Respondents identified three important characteristics that they believe all programs should have: (1) positive reinforcement, (2) culturally-centered activities, and (3) strength-based approaches that are not from a negative or punitive viewpoint. Conclusion: The results from these interviews can be used to build strengths-based approaches to promoting positive mental health in Indigenous communities and can lead to other successful programs and activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples)
17 pages, 307 KiB  
Article
Understanding American Indian/Alaska Native Students’ Barriers and Facilitators in the Pursuit of Health Professions Careers in Nebraska
by Keyonna M. King, Regina Idoate, Cole C. Allick, Ron Shope, Magdalena Haakenstad, Melissa A. Leon, Aislinn Rookwood, Hannah Butler Robbins, Armando De Alba, Sonja F. Tutsch-Bryant, Mariah Abney, Vanessa Hamilton and Patrik L. Johansson
Genealogy 2024, 8(4), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8040133 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 793
Abstract
The U.S. health care system presents American Indian/Alaska Native populations with inequitable challenges that result in some of the worst health outcomes in the country. The literature indicates that increasing the proportion of American Indian/Alaska Native health professionals can improve these health disparities. [...] Read more.
The U.S. health care system presents American Indian/Alaska Native populations with inequitable challenges that result in some of the worst health outcomes in the country. The literature indicates that increasing the proportion of American Indian/Alaska Native health professionals can improve these health disparities. This study aimed to explore the severe under-representation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Nebraska’s health professions workforce by examining barriers and facilitators in this population’s pursuit of health professions careers. We conducted demographic questionnaires and three talking circles with students in reservation and urban settings to better understand their lived experiences of pursuing health professions careers. We analyzed these qualitative data through content analysis and identified eight emergent themes—four barriers and four facilitators. These findings can inform the development of strategies to improve Indigenous education, research, and pathways that promote increased American Indian/Alaska Native representation in health care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples)
29 pages, 1536 KiB  
Article
Honoring Inágofli’e’ and Alofa: Developing a Culturally Grounded Health Promotion Model for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islanders
by Santino Giovanni Camacho, Wilson Ta, Kilohana Haitsuka, Såhi Velasco, Roldy Aguero Ablao, Falefia Jr. Brandon Fuamatu, Eve Cruz, V. Kalei Kanuha and Michael Spencer
Genealogy 2024, 8(2), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020074 - 10 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1911
Abstract
(1) Background: Although culturally grounded health interventions (CGHI) have shown efficacy in improving Indigenous health, few CGHI for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islander (QTPI) communities exist to address their health promotion. This study explores QTPI experiences of health for cultural mechanisms to develop [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Although culturally grounded health interventions (CGHI) have shown efficacy in improving Indigenous health, few CGHI for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islander (QTPI) communities exist to address their health promotion. This study explores QTPI experiences of health for cultural mechanisms to develop CGHI for QTPI health promotion. (2) Methods: Using Indigenist community-engaged research methodologies, we collaborated with the United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance of Washington and Guma’ Gela’ to conduct 11 exploratory semi-structured interviews with QTPI community members living in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. These interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. (3) Results: QTPI well-being was greatly influenced by how settler colonialism impacted their connectedness to their families, communities, and cultures. We also found that inágofli’e’ and alofa, relational values in CHamoru and Sāmoan culture, played essential roles in facilitating QTPI health. Many participants fostered these values through chosen family, community care, and Indigenous mobilities. (4) Conclusions: Our findings indicate a need for CGHI that facilitate inágofli’e’ and alofa for QTPI to combat settler colonialism’s impacts on QTPI well-being. Finally, we present a community-centered conceptual model for culturally grounded health promotion in QTPI communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples)
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11 pages, 221 KiB  
Article
Visiting with Elders—Aging, Caregiving, and Planning for Future Generations of American Indians and Alaska Natives
by Cole Allick and Marija Bogic
Genealogy 2024, 8(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020036 - 29 Mar 2024
Viewed by 2540
Abstract
(1) Background: To address the importance of engaging American Indian and Alaska Native Elders in a dialogue about healthy aging and fill the gap in the scholarly literature on this topic. (2) Methods: This study conducted a listening session with Elders who attended [...] Read more.
(1) Background: To address the importance of engaging American Indian and Alaska Native Elders in a dialogue about healthy aging and fill the gap in the scholarly literature on this topic. (2) Methods: This study conducted a listening session with Elders who attended the 2021 National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada. The listening session was audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis by two analysts. (3) Results: Important insights regarding American Indian and Alaska Native Elders’ perspectives on planning for future care and aging-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. (4) Conclusions: This study is one of the first to engage American Indian and Alaska Native Elders in a conversation about health aging. Calls for intergenerational solidarity, protection of Elders, education, and relationality were found to be important themes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples)
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