From Land to Legacy: How Indigenous Leaders Promote Wholistic Wellness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v18i1.856Keywords:
Cultural Safety, Indigenous-Led, Language Revitalization, Well-Being, Wholistic, Two-Eyed Seeing, Cultural RevitalizationAbstract
Background: Jim Thorpe of the Sac and Fox Nation exemplified excellence in sports and advocacy, highlighting his commitment to strengthening Indigenous identity. His advocacy for his Indigenous community demonstrates the power of Indigenous leaders in elevating the status and empowering Indigenous Peoples to overcome systemic barriers and affirm their identity. Though there has been research on the role of Indigenous-led initiatives in promoting wholistic health and well-being, research specific to British Columbia is sparse. Purpose: To conduct an environmental scan on the role Indigenous-led initiatives play in promoting spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being in Indigenous communities through culturally safe practices. Methods: An environmental scan utilizing a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, was conducted to examine the impact of Indigenous-led initiatives on wholistic health and a concomitant analysis of three Indigenous-led initiatives present in British Columbia: The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC), the Indigenous Physical Activity and Cultural Circle (IPACC), and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC). Results: There is ample evidence that Indigenous-led initiatives can promote cultural revitalization, and that connection to cultural practices fosters spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate how Indigenous-led initiatives nurture community resilience and promote wholistic health through connections to cultural traditions, aligning with Thorpe’s enduring legacy of promoting Indigenous excellence through cultural connection.
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