Connections Between Land and Wellbeing: Perspectives of First Nations Youth in the Community of Saik’Uz
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CONNECTIONS BETWEEN LAND AND WELLBEING: PERSPECTIVES OF FIRST NATIONS YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY OF SAIK’UZ by Lindsay Nicole Beck BSc., University of Alberta, 2008 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCES IN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA November 2013 © Lindsay Beck, 2013 ABSTRACT Guided by decolonizing methodologies and ecosystem approaches to health, this thesis explores Saik’uz First Nation (SFN) youth perspectives about the connections between land, health and well-being. The project engaged a small group of youth (ages 14-27) in a modified Photovoice project, embedded within a qualitative study. Their experience and photos were discussed through the Indigenous method of sharing circles, guided by two Elders, followed by semi-structured interviews. The research process was developed with a community research advisor designated by the Chief and Council. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged that represented how these SFN youth saw the land, health and well-being as connected and relational. Additionally, the youth described two main drivers of change that were impacting these relationships. The youth and Elders’ insights have provided fertile ground for ideas about how to progress ecohealth and First Nations health throughout the Northern BC landscape. ii Table of Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. i LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... ix DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................ x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1 1.1 Study Objectives and Rationale ............................................................................................ 1 1.2 Locating Myself as a Learner and a Researcher ................................................................... 6 1.3 Outline of Chapters ............................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................. 13 2.1 Health and Well-Being of First Nations and their Youth ................................................... 15 2.1.1 The Social Determinants of Health ......................................................................... 18 2.1.2 Efforts at Linkages: Health, and Socioecological Systems ..................................... 22 2.2 Expanding on the Land: Broad Considerations for First Nations in B.C ........................... 28 2.2.1 ‘Land’ meanings ...................................................................................................... 28 2.2.2 Colonization and the Land in British Columbia ...................................................... 31 2.2.3 From Global to Local: Contemporary Land Considerations ................................... 36 2.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER 3: STUDY CONTEXT .......................................................................................... 40 3.1 Dakelh Land and Culture .................................................................................................... 40 3.2 The Saik’uz First Nation, British Columbia ....................................................................... 45 3.2.1 Drivers of Change and Opportunity ........................................................................ 47 3.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 55 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY AND METHODS .............................................................. 56 iii 4.1 Research Approach ............................................................................................................. 57 4.1.1 Decolonizing the Research Process ......................................................................... 58 4.1.2 Ecosystem Approaches to Health (Ecohealth) ........................................................ 63 4.2 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 71 4.2.1 Photovoice ............................................................................................................... 71 4.2.2 Research Stages ....................................................................................................... 72 4.2.3 Data Collection ........................................................................................................ 90 4.2.4 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 91 4.2.5 Ethical Considerations ............................................................................................. 94 4.2.6 Approaches to Research Validity and Quality ........................................................ 97 4.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 99 CHAPTER 5: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION .................................................................... 101 5.1 Elders Voices and Experiences: “New things we learn from the old” ............................. 101 5.2 Youth Voices .................................................................................................................... 106 5.2.1 Relationships Among Land, Health and Well-being ............................................. 107 5.2.2 Drivers of Change to the Relationships among Land, Health and Well-being ..... 127 5.2.3 The Relationships Among Land, Health and Well-Being and the Drivers of Change ............................................................................................................................ 139 5.3 Modified Photovoice in the Saik’uz First Nation Context ................................................ 140 5.3.1 Reflections on the Saik’uz Youth Photovoice Project .......................................... 140 5.3.2 Representation and the Politics of Creation and Circulation of Knowledge ......... 144 5.3.3 Considerations for Intergenerational Interactions ................................................. 146 5.3.4 Considerations for Youth Engagement ................................................................. 148 iv 5.3.5 Modifications to Photovoice ................................................................................. 150 5.4 Reflections on the Overall Research Process .................................................................... 151 5.4.1 Collaboration with the Community Research Advisor (CRA) ............................. 151 5.4.2 Study Limitations .................................................................................................. 153 5.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 157 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND REFLECTIONS .......................................................... 158 6.1 Land and Health as Interconnected ................................................................................... 159 6.2 Pathways for (Re) Connecting, Fostering and Improving Youth Connections to the Land for Health and Well-Being ............................................................................................. 162 6.2.1 Canada and beyond ............................................................................................... 163 6.2.2 Provincial/Regional (British Columbia and Northern BC) ................................... 165 6.2.3 Local (Saik’uz First Nation) .................................................................................. 166 6.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 168 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 170 Appendix I – Saik’uz First Nation Letter of Support ............................................................. 202 Appendix II – Ethics Approval Certificate ............................................................................. 203 Appendix III – Information Sheets and Consent Forms ......................................................... 204 Appendix IV- Photovoice Guide ............................................................................................ 225 Appendix V – Protocol for Workshop .................................................................................... 229 Appendix VI – Protocol for Sharing Circles ........................................................................... 231 Appendix VII – Youth Participant Semi-Structured Interview Guide .................................... 233 Appendix VIII – Post Project Follow-up Activities