Search Results (1,504)

Planetary health, the interdependence of human well-being and the integrity of Earth’s natural systems requires frameworks capable of integrating ecological stewardship, relational governance, intergenerational accountability, and equitable participation. This paper argues that Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), long marginalized by colonial policies of suppression and assimilation, offer precisely such frameworks. Drawing on illustrative examples from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Amazonian Indigenous nations, Maasai communities of East Africa, the Mapuche of South America, and the first Global Summit on Indigenous Peacebuilding, the paper identifies three interlocking contributions of IKS to planetary health: (1) intergenerational ecological stewardship; (2) relational governance and community-centered peacebuilding; and (3) gender-balanced authority as a condition for flourishing. The paper concludes that the integration of IKS into planetary health scholarship and practice is not an exercise in cultural representation but a strategic necessity for addressing the interconnected crises of ecological degradation, social fragmentation, and institutional short-termism that define the present era. Full article

Background: The Maya Chortí are a Mesoamerican Indigenous group of approximately 33,256 individuals in Copán and Ocotepeque, western Honduras, historically, linguistically, and culturally linked to the Classic Maya tradition of Copán. No population-specific autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) reference dataset had previously been available, requiring forensic calculations to use non-representative databases. Methods: Allele frequencies for 23 autosomal STR loci were estimated in 100 unrelated Maya Chortí individuals from Copán and Ocotepeque. DNA from blood on FTA cards was amplified with the PowerPlex Fusion 6C System. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD), diversity indices, forensic parameters, inter-population FST, and random match probabilities with and without NRC-II θ-correction (θ = 0.01 and 0.03) were calculated using Genepop, Arlequin, and STRAF. Results: A total of 212 alleles were detected. Expected heterozygosity was high across the panel. After Bonferroni correction, no locus departed from HWE, and no locus pair showed significant LD. The combined random match probability was 1.17 × 10⁻²³, very low, and remained highly discriminating under NRC-II θ-correction; the combined chance of exclusion exceeded 99.99%. Conclusions: This study provides the first autosomal STR reference database for the Maya Chortí of Honduras, enabling population-specific likelihood ratio estimation in forensic identification, paternity testing, and kinship analysis, while expanding the genetic characterization of Mesoamerican Indigenous populations under CODIS/ESS standards. Full article

Background/Objectives: Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person to provide labor or sex and has become a public health crisis. This scoping review aimed to identify known risk factors for trafficking among North American Indigenous women and to synthesize the complexities of trafficking and its related health outcomes. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR checklist, a comprehensive literature search of seven electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) was conducted in March 2022 and updated in September 2023. English language research reports, literature reviews, dissertations and theses, commentaries, and government reports that focused on human trafficking in North American Indigenous women aged 18 years and older from the United States and Canada were identified using key terms. Results: Fifteen articles were included, revealing three themes: structurally produced vulnerabilities and other contributors to human trafficking, the long-term effects of human trafficking, and the need for collaboration of key stakeholders to mitigate human trafficking. Risk factors of human trafficking for Indigenous women include personal factors, historical trauma, and inadequate systems to identify and support victims. The needs of this population are complex. However, a multidisciplinary approach can be effective in combatting human trafficking. Conclusions: This review substantiates key risk factors and complexities unique to the trafficking experienced by North American Indigenous women, while also revealing a persistent gap in the research. These findings advance nursing knowledge by informing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care approaches while supporting targeted educational and research initiatives to improve health outcomes among these women. Full article

This study examines staff and student experiences of an online sustainability induction module at an Australian university, exploring how such a module can contribute to whole-institution sustainability culture within a higher education institution (HEI). Using Sterling’s transformational framework, we analyse participant perceptions and reflections across module content spanning diverse SDGs, including Indigenous land management (SDG 15), ethical consumption (SDG 12), modern slavery (SDG 8), governance (SDG 16) and community engagement (SDG 17). Findings suggest how staff and students may experience the parallels between working across SDGs and learning about sustainable actions within personal, organisational, and community contexts of HEIs. While some participants appreciated the interconnectedness of sustainability challenges, they also highlighted difficulties associated with the breadth and complexity of addressing multiple SDGs within a single induction experience. This research advances understanding of how transition-oriented learning spaces that are situated between individual and institutional development and those involving affective, cognitive, and intentional dimensions of change can support HEIs in considering how to progress the 2030 Agenda. At the same time, it highlights pedagogical challenges in designing induction modules that integrate multiple SDGs in practice. Full article

Indigenous crops are well adapted to marginal conditions and rich in nutrients, making them promising contributors to food and nutrition security in rural South African communities. This study evaluated the consumer acceptability and community perceptions of stiff pap composite dishes incorporating pumpkin leaves, Cucurbita pumpkin, and cream-fleshed sweet potato (CFSP) among 60 rural participants. Employing a cross-sectional design, sensory testing using a nine-point hedonic scale and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted across the uMkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo District Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. All three composite dishes were well-liked overall. The CFSP-based dish achieved the highest overall acceptability (7.68) and was the most preferred (40%; n = 24), while the pumpkin-based dish was the least preferred (38%; n = 23). Significant differences in taste and color were observed across dishes (p < 0.05). Focus groups highlighted that familiarity, flavor balance, preparation methods, and cultural norms shaped willingness to adopt these dishes, with novel combinations eliciting both curiosity and hesitation. Cultural norms, family preferences, and the traditional significance of stiff pap shape acceptance pathways. The findings suggest that integrating indigenous crops into culturally familiar staples can promote dietary diversification and support smallholder farming systems, with culturally sensitive culinary guidance serving as the key enabler for broader adoption. These findings imply that embedding indigenous crops within culturally central staples offers a practical, consumer-driven entry point for sustainable food system transformation, simultaneously advancing dietary diversity, smallholder livelihoods, and the resilience of rural food systems. Full article

Community-based heritage tourism plays an important role in promoting sustainable development while preserving cultural heritage in indigenous and traditional communities. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding its contribution to sustainable development within Mongolia’s nomadic communities. Grounded in Social Exchange Theory (SET), this study examines the relationships among Community Participation, Heritage Interpretation, Tourism Management, Cultural Identity Preservation, and Sustainable Development. Data were collected from 250 international tourists who participated in community-based heritage tourism experiences in Mongolia and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that Heritage Interpretation and Tourism Management positively influence Cultural Identity Preservation, while Community Participation, Tourism Management, and Cultural Identity Preservation significantly enhance Sustainable Development. Community Participation, however, does not significantly influence Cultural Identity Preservation. Furthermore, Cultural Identity Preservation partially mediates the relationship between Tourism Management and Sustainable Development. These findings highlight the importance of effective tourism management and meaningful heritage interpretation in strengthening cultural preservation and promoting sustainable development. The study extends the application of Social Exchange Theory in the context of community-based heritage tourism and provides practical implications for policymakers and destination managers seeking to balance cultural heritage conservation with sustainable tourism development. Full article

“Torta del Casar” is a traditional Spanish cheese made from raw ewe’s milk under Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) regulations. Its unique characteristics result from the use of vegetable rennet and an abundant indigenous microbiota, primarily lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Since PDO rules permit only autochthonous microorganisms, identifying specific LAB strains is a fundamental first step for developing starter and protective cultures. This study aimed to characterise the LAB population of 22 cheeses from different industries and assess batch-to-batch variability. Physicochemical analysis revealed that some batches exceeded PDO pH limits, highlighting the potential need for standardised acidification. Species-level identification was performed via 16S rRNA sequencing, while RAPD-PCR was used for strain-level differentiation. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was the predominant species, followed by Leuconostoc mesenteroides. RAPD-PCR differentiated a total of 20 strains across all species, revealing high intra-specific diversity. Leu. mesenteroides exhibited higher variability compared to the more homogenous clusters found within Lpb. plantarum. Although batches from the same industry showed low strain overlap, specific strains of Lpb. plantarum (G5-3, G4-1) and Leu. mesenteroides (S2-2, G5-2, L4-1) were shared across different batches or industries. These autochthonous strains are promising candidates for further evaluation as starter cultures, since they could potentially contribute to product standardisation and safety while preserving the traditional sensory profile of “Torta del Casar”. Full article

Algerian fermented foods represent a precious source of indigenous yeasts with potentially probiotic properties, which can serve as regional, functional starter cultures. The aim of the present research is to isolate and genetically identify strains obtained from traditional fermented foods and investigate their probiotic properties and safety aspects in vitro. The molecular identification revealed fifteen S. cerevisiae strains obtained from sourdoughs and marinated peppers samples. All tested strains showed the ability to grow at 37 °C and to survive well at 0.3% (w/v) bile salts with high resistance to pH 2.5. The auto-aggregation rates of tested strains reached 93.90% after 24 h of incubation, while seven of fifteen strains showed high hydrophobicity values in xylene (44.60–58.90%), indicating their ability to survive and to adhere to the host intestinal mucosa. All S. cerevisiae isolates showed a good antioxidant activity and exhibited varying levels of antibacterial activity, but not against Listeria innocua. A lack of hemolysis, gelatinase, protease and phospholipase was recorded for all tested strains, while a strong phytase activity was observed in these strains, which may enhance mineral availability and reduce antinutritional effects of plant-based food. Based on these results, five S. cerevisiae strains showed promising probiotic properties and safety aspects, which can be used as potential probiotic strains in functional food industries and/or in the medical field. Full article

Contrasting mainstream operational definitions of mindfulness, this article introduces the Dialectical Mandala Model of Mindfulness (DMMM), a dialectically articulated framework integrating Daoist internal alchemy and Buddhist contemplative theory. It reconceptualizes mindfulness as a multilayered developmental architecture rather than a set of techniques or cognitive skills, extending beyond cognitive adjustment to encompass the psycho-physical dynamics of qi, shen (spirit), hun (cloud-soul), and po (white-soul). Grounded in the catuṣkoṭi framework, the DMMM proposes a reconstruction of the dialectical logic underlying certain contemplative traditions through a systematic integration of the subject–object polarity, and aligns with the second stage of Kwang-Kuo Hwang’s three-step epistemological strategy for developing indigenous psychology, contributing to theory-building within cross-cultural and indigenous psychological discourse. The study combines close textual analysis with a reflexive use of autoethnographic vignettes from long-term practice, not as reports of experience themselves but as an epistemically situated resource for model construction. The DMMM formalizes a recursively unfolding developmental trajectory of mindfulness cultivation into a system of four interrelated cycles, each comprising four distinct phases. Across these phases, the developmental qualities of faith, understanding, practice, and realization function as recurrent structural principles rather than merely experiential descriptors. By articulating the internal dynamics and causal coherence of these phases, the model offers a systematic theoretical account of how spontaneous or non-discursive states may be understood as structured by a deeper dialectical logic. These four cycles provide a framework for analyzing transformations in mindfulness across stages and traditions, thereby contributing to religious studies, contemplative studies, and cross-cultural psychological theory-building. Full article

The rapid transformation of rural societies and the progressive decline of traditional livelihoods have placed numerous expressions of intangible cultural heritage at risk of disappearance. In the Saraguro territory of southern Ecuador, muleteering (arriería) historically functioned as a means of transportation, trade, and cultural exchange, facilitating the transmission of knowledge, values, and practices among generations and diverse social groups. This study examines muleteering as a form of living heritage and explores its revitalization through intercultural dialogue and the recovery of ancestral knowledge. A qualitative ethnographic approach was employed, integrating documentary analysis, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with former muleteers, community elders, cultural leaders, and local residents. The findings indicate that muleteering contributed significantly to territorial connectivity, economic exchange, collective memory, and the preservation of traditional ecological knowledge related to mobility, animal management, and community cooperation. Participants recognized muleteering as a central element of Saraguro’s cultural identity and emphasized its role in fostering intercultural interaction and inter-generational learning. The study concludes that the revitalization of muleteering through dialogue of knowledge can contribute to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, strengthening cultural continuity, and supporting culturally sustainable development in indigenous territories. Full article

Multicultural education remains a foundational yet contested area of teacher preparation in increasingly diverse, unequal, and politically polarized educational contexts. This conceptual review examines multicultural education through culturally responsive, critical, and democratic approaches by synthesizing foundational scholarship and recent research published between 2023 and 2026. Although these traditions have been widely examined, they are often treated as separate perspectives, limiting the development of a coherent framework for teacher preparation across diverse educational settings. Guided by the question of how multicultural education is conceptualized, enacted, and sustained within teacher preparation programs, the review argues that multicultural education is most effective when embedded throughout curriculum, assessment, clinical practice, and program design rather than confined to stand-alone diversity courses. The synthesis demonstrates that implementation remains predominantly fragmented or additive, acknowledging diversity without systematically advancing equity. To address this limitation, the article proposes an integrative conceptual framework organized around three complementary pedagogical orientations—culturally responsive, critical, and democratic—operationalized through reflective practice, curriculum transformation, community and contextual engagement, and pedagogical translation. The framework further incorporates contemporary scholarship on intercultural education, culturally sustaining pedagogy, democratic citizenship, Indigenous education, and decolonizing perspectives, extending existing conceptualizations of multicultural teacher preparation. The review concludes by identifying persistent challenges related to institutionalization, faculty capacity, policy contexts, and assessment while outlining directions for future research and program development across diverse national and sociocultural contexts. By integrating recent scholarship within a unified conceptual framework, the article offers teacher educators, researchers, and policymakers a comprehensive model for designing coherent, equity-oriented teacher preparation programs. Full article

Current models of dementia care often perpetuate the legacies of colonization, which highlights the need for a culturally congruent approach. This research describes the necessary components to co-develop a freely available Indigenous-centered dementia model of care in partnership with Indigenous individuals living with dementia, their families, and communities. To prioritize ethical and decolonial research approaches, sequential focus groups were used alongside Keeoukaywin (The Visiting Way)—an Indigenous methodology deeply rooted in Métis and Cree ways of knowing—guided by a group of advisors and Elders. The data were co-analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis guided by Indigenous principles. Three themes were generated: Indigenization, Personalization, and the Intersection of Challenges and Innovations, to illustrate how dementia care can be operationalized and adapted to various cultural and care contexts. This research offers a foundation for developing dementia care that truly aligns with Indigenous ways of doing. Full article

Artisanal raw-milk cheese represents a complex biochemical ecosystem where the indigenous microbiota acts as the primary driver of the volatile profile. This study utilizes an innovative synchronized biological relay model to decipher the mechanistic interplay between the successional dynamics of indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the temporal evolution of the volatile metabolome over a 10-week maturation period of an artisanal cow-milk cheese. Utilizing a culture-dependent approach focused on the quantitative enumeration of broad morpho-physiological groups—without species-level identification—integrated with HS-SPME/GC-MS, we characterized the precise shifts from early-stage lactic cocci to dominant rod-shaped lactobacilli. Initial populations at Week 0 consisted of 8.2 log CFU/g of cocci and 4.1 log CFU/g of rod-shaped LAB. Lactic cocci peaked at Week 2 (8.5 log CFU/g) before undergoing mass autolysis down to 7.1 log CFU/g by Week 4, releasing intracellular enzymes that catalyzed a 900% surge in total esters and a 215% increase in volatile alcohols. Concurrently, rod-shaped LAB proliferated to a maximum of 8.6 log CFU/g at Week 6, directly correlating with a 125% increase in total carboxylic acids, prominently driven by a 750% accumulation of hexanoic acid. The late-phase maturation (Weeks 8–10) established a technological equilibrium: volatile sulfur compounds collapsed by over 90% within the first two weeks, initial transient lactones were replaced by a 1200% late-stage increase in dodecalactone, and matrix-sequestered dietary terpenes were liberated via an 8-fold (700%) increase at Week 8. This study introduces an innovative, statistically validated volatilomic framework that equips the dairy sector with an advanced metabolomic tool for rigorous product authentication and targeted flavor optimization, thereby establishing a scientific baseline for the reproducible production of premium, organoleptically superior artisanal cheeses. Full article

Indigenous peoples (IPs) in the Philippines continue to be targets of stereotypes and prejudice by non-IP Filipinos. The IPs in the Philippines are often described as being dehumanized by their social conditions and by the social practices of the dominant social group. This study explores the subtle dehumanization of three IPs (Igorots, Mangyans, Lumads) by measuring the attribution of traits associated with human nature and whether subtle dehumanization is negatively associated with two diversity ideologies: multiculturalism and polyculturalism. A sample of 534 non-IP Filipinos were asked to rate whether positive traits that were previously ascribed as high or low characteristics of human nature (HN) were typical of Filipinos in general, of Igorots, Mangyans, and Lumads. Participants’ outgroup knowledge of each IP group, social dominance orientation, egalitarianism, essentializing race, polyculturalism, and multiculturalism were measured. The results show that high-HN traits were attributed less to IP groups compared to Filipinos, but low-HN traits were attributed more to Igorots. Three relative dehumanization indices (RDIs) were computed; across all IP groups, RDIs were associated with lower polyculturalism but not multiculturalism. The implications of how polyculturalism relates to less subtle dehumanization of IP groups in the Philippines are discussed. Full article

Indigenous knowledge and associated indigenous resource management practices are at the root of sustainable land and marine management. Typically, they point to the necessity of maintaining biodiversity and of ensuring the sustenance of social and economic systems, which benefit the well-being of indigenous communities. Conscious of these core attributes, the Government of Indonesia has enabled formal access for indigenous communities to forests for their livelihoods. Nonetheless, meeting the sustainable development goals through such forest management and conservation in Indonesia is threatened by various competing interests and power imbalances. These lead to the disproportionate conversion of naturally vegetated areas, as well as the inability of communities to benefit from economic opportunities. Moreover, the Government of Indonesia has insufficiently regulated the utilisation of indigenous knowledge to conserve the forest areas. This creates a policy design and implementation gap which is not properly understood or addressed. In this conceptual article, we posit that applying cultural space methodology fills the gaps. This methodology combines cultural space and land administration concepts and connects people to land and marine space. This article discusses how and why using the methodology proves to be effective for agricultural and maritime communities in Indonesia and helps to reform the administration capacities of the territories. It identifies and assesses people and land/marine space relationships by the existence of (1) knowledge, practices, and/or objects that represent the relationship, (2) the social, economic, and environmental function of space for the community, and (3) administration of the forest and conservation areas. The methodology also provides a procedure to convert information on the interrelation of the indigenous community, its cultural space in the forest and conservation areas, and indigenous knowledge into geospatial information and data that represent the cultural space unit as a geographic feature. Full article