"I'm stronger than I thought": Native women reconnecting to body, health, and place.

Health Place

Research for Indigenous Community Health, Department of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 232 Life Science, 1110 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN 55812-3003, USA. Electronic address:

Published: July 2016

AI Article Synopsis

  • This research used wilderness programming and Indigenous knowledge to tackle health issues in a tribal community.
  • The Trail of Tears was revisited by tribal members to reflect on its impact on current health conditions, using historical trauma as a framework.
  • Participating in this experience led to shifts in health beliefs and behaviors, suggesting that immersive activities outside conventional healthcare could effectively promote better health in Native communities.

Article Abstract

This community-based research applied principles of wilderness experience programming and Indigenous knowledges in an exploratory intervention designed to address health disparities in a tribal community. Drawing on historical trauma frameworks, tribal members rewalked the Trail of Tears to consider its effect on contemporary tribal health. Qualitative data from tribal members suggest that engagement with place and experiential learning, particularly the physical and emotional challenge of the Trail, facilitated changes in health beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Deep engagement outside of traditional health service settings should be considered in interventions and may be particularly effective in promoting positive health behaviors in Native communities.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4940272PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.05.001DOI Listing

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