First Nations Youth Health and Wellbeing

Dear Colleagues,

1. Introduction

As the next generation of leaders, knowledge holders, and cultural custodians, First Nations youth play a vital role in shaping the social, cultural, and economic futures of Indigenous peoples and humanity more broadly (United Nations, 2023).

Despite their demographic significance, First Nations youth continue to experience substantial disparities in health and wellbeing outcomes compared with their non-Indigenous peers, including disproportionately higher rates of chronic disease, mental illness, self-harm, and suicide (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024; Johnson-Jennings et al., 2023; Katapally, 2020; Garza & Abascal Miguel, 2025; Statistics Canada, 2018). These inequities are rooted in the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation, dispossession, systemic discrimination, and socio-economic marginalisation across multiple domains — including education, employment, housing, and access to health services (O’Neill et al., 2018; United Nations, 2020).

At the same time, First Nations youth demonstrate remarkable resilience, cultural strength, and leadership that are too often absent from mainstream research and policy discourse (Anderson et al., 2022; Chandler & Lalonde, 2008; Dinku et al., 2024; Durie, 2004; Ivanich et al., 2025; Kirmayer et al., 2011; Murrup-Stewart et al., 2021).

2. Aim of the Special Issue and Relevance to the Journal Scope

This Special Issue seeks to advance international scholarship on the health and wellbeing of First Nations youth by bringing together interdisciplinary research from public health, psychology, sociology, education, Indigenous studies, and related fields. The Special Issue particularly welcomes research that moves beyond deficit-focused narratives to explore protective factors, resilience, and culturally grounded pathways to wellbeing- recognising First Nations health and wellbeing are inherently multidimensional, touching every aspect of people's lives (Gee et al., 2014; Kyoon-Achan, et al., 2018; Sangha et al., 2024).

Contributions may include empirical studies (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods), theoretical work, systematic reviews, and policy analyses. Interdisciplinary, community-based, and Indigenous-led research approaches are particularly encouraged.

3. Suggested themes:

Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:

• Social and emotional wellbeing and mental health
• Cultural identity, connection to Country, and cultural continuity
• Family, kinship, and community connectedness
• Trauma-informed and healing-centred approaches
• Youth justice and contact with legal systems
• Substance use and harm reduction
• Physical health, nutrition, and chronic disease
• Digital health, technology, and social media
• Community led and place-based youth programs
• First Nations youth leadership and civic participation.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

References

• Anderson, K., Elder-Robinson, E., Gall, A., Ngampromwongse, K., Connolly, M., Letendre, A., ... & Garvey, G. (2022). Aspects of wellbeing for Indigenous youth in CANZUS countries: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13688.
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent and youth health and wellbeing. Canberra: AIHW.
• Gee, G., Dudgeon, P., Schultz, C., Hart, A., Kelly, K. (2014). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing. In: Dudgeon, P., Milroy, H., Walker, R. (Eds.), Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
• Ivanich, J., et al. (2025). Scoping Review of Outdoor and Land-Based Prevention Programs for Indigenous Youth in the United States and Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22 (2), 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020183
• O’Neill, L., Fraser, T., Kitchenham, A. and McDonald, V., 2018. “Hidden burdens: A review of intergenerational, historical and complex trauma, implications for indigenous families.” Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 11(2), pp.173-186.
• Chandler, M. J., & Lalonde, C. (2008). Cultural continuity as a protective factor against suicide in First Nations youth. Horizons – Perspectives on Indigenous Peoples, 10(1), 68–72.
• Dinku, Y., Howard-Wagner, D., Harrap, B., Wycisk, O., Buchanan, G., Malbon, E., Cooms, V., Guthrie, J., Edwards, B., Somboonsin, P. & Yap, M. (2024), Footprints in Time Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children: Social and Emotional Wellbeing Research Report (Commissioned Report No. 10), Centre for Indigenous Policy Research, Australian National University. https://doi.org/10.25911/6KGK-RG76
• Durie, M. (2004). Understanding health and illness: Research at the interface between science and Indigenous knowledge. Auckland: The University of Auckland.
• Garza, M., & Abascal Miguel, L. (2025). Health disparities among indigenous populations in Latin America: a scoping review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 24(1), 119.
• Johnson-Jennings, M. D., Reid, M., Jiang, L., Huyser, K. R., Brega, A. G., Steine, J. F., ... & O’Connell, J. (2023). American Indian Alaska Native (AIAN) adolescents and obesity: the influence of social determinants of health, mental health, and substance use. International Journal of Obesity, 47(4), 297-305.
• Katapally, T. R. (2020). Smart indigenous youth: The smart platform policy solution for systems integration to address indigenous youth mental health. JMIR pediatrics and parenting, 3(2), e21155.
• Kirmayer, L. J., Dandeneau, S., Marshall, E., Phillips, M. K., & Williamson, K. J. (2011). Rethinking resilience from Indigenous perspectives. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(2), 84–91.
• Kyoon-Achan, G., Philips-Beck, W., Lavoie, J., Eni, R., Sinclair, S., Avey Kinew, K., ... & Katz, A. (2018). Looking back, moving forward: A culture-based framework to promote mental wellbeing in Manitoba First Nations communities. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, 11(4), 679-692.
• Murrup-Stewart, C., Whyman, T., Jobson, L., & Adams, K. (2021). “Connection to culture is like a massive lifeline”: Yarning with Aboriginal young people about culture and social and emotional wellbeing. Qualitative Health Research, 31(10), 1833-1846.
• Sangha, K. K., Dinku, Y., Costanza, R., & Poelina, A. (2024). A comprehensive analysis of well-being frameworks applied in Australia and their suitability for Indigenous peoples. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 19(1), 2321646.
• Statistics Canada. (2018). Aboriginal peoples in Canada: Key results from the 2016 Census. Catalogue no. 11-001-X. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.
• United Nations (2023). Indigenous youth as agents of change for self-determination. International Day of World’s  Indigenous peoples. United Nations, New York.
• United Nations (2020). Indigenous Youth Statistics and Wellbeing Report. United Nations, New York.

Dr. Yonatan Dinku
Dr. Kamaljit Kaur Sangha
Guest Editors

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• First Nations youth
• health and wellbeing
• cultural identity
• resilience
• healing and justice
• health equity
• trauma-informed approaches