In Stepping Stone 5, we discussed the importance of connection to culture and traditions to develop the concepts of wholistic health and wellness, with a primary focus on the importance of physical activity for balance.  Here, we will continue exploring the connections to cultural strength and traditions, in addition to ties to well-being, and self-determination.

Cultural continuity is an important aspect of establishing health and wellness within the individual, the family and the community.  Cultural continuity acknowledges the ties to Indigenous history and ways of knowing, and has been recognized as an integral part of healing since the onset of colonization (Krieg, 2016).

The Bourke (2018) review highlights that the connections to Indigenous culture and traditions are the most important force for health and wellness for Indigenous communities:

“The literature largely reports that culture is significantly and positively associated with physical health, social and emotional wellbeing, and reduces risk-taking behaviours.” (Bourke et al., 2018, p. 12).

In this Stepping Stone, we will further explore cultural practices, and reflect on the intersections of culture, health and wellness. Currently, one of the predominant barriers to practicing culture and Indigenous ways of knowing in the colonial institutions is systemic racism (Roach & McMillan, 2022). To empower Indigenous community members to increase connection to cultural practices, there must also be freedom to practice self-determination. In fact, being able to freely practice self-determination through establishing individual wholistic aspirations is associated with positive health and wellness outcomes.

In the spirit of “Truth and Reconciliation”, we need to be inclusive of the healing experience for Nations and generations when exploring the TRC (2015) of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action. Specifically, when viewing the Truth component of TRC, we need to be cognizant that there are Indian Residential Survivors. However, there are many Indigenous people who did not survive colonization or the Indian Residential School systems. When reflecting back through the 156 years of colonization of Indigenous communities, we must acknowledge the resilience of the Indigenous peoples and the ability and fortitude they possess to save many of their languages with ties to Indigenous ways of Knowing for cultural health and wellness practices.

However, it must be noted that much was lost. Many communities and languages are now extinct, and some equate this terrible history to cultural genocide- a concept you were introduced to during this Stepping Stone’s Warm-Up. It is during this period of Reconciliation and the formal reclamation of health and wellness that the inclusion of diverse Indigenous cultural practices and continuity of wellness will be explored.

One challenge with implementing the TRC’s (2015) Calls to Action is that the Indian Act still exists. It is very difficult to make progress while there are still communities on-reserve, and most First Nations people do not have self-governance.

In addition to other negative social and contextual forces, the continued harmful impacts of colonization make the social determinants of health increasingly prevalent in Indigenous communities. Since the closure of Indian Residential Schools, there has been a quest for healing by Indigenous people. However, some traumas may have been too significant, and have left a lasting impact, making the ability to be at peace and hopes of a complete resurgence difficult to achieve.

Within the Western healthcare system, some Indigenous people have access to Indigenous patient Navigators or Liaisons who support community members with health literacy, family support, and advocacy with health professionals (Hiscock et al., 2022).

Exploring cultural practices should be done with the Indigenous community where you originate from.  If you are not Indigenous, exploring cultural practices should still be done within the traditional territory where you live, work or play. Knowledge of cultural practices may be gained by engaging and building relationships with local Indigenous people, Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

The true history of Indigenous cultural trauma is necessary to learn about, but it is also a tough and heavy topic to navigate.

Take a moment to have some quiet time, and put on some sounds of nature:

Allow yourself some time to absorb the information that has been presented to you in this Stepping Stone.

Indigenous concepts of health and wellness are connected to individual and community self-determination. Promoting cultural continuity in all components of health and wellness services creates the opportunity for self-determination. Therefore, when reviewing the Western health care system it is valuable to determine how and where Indigenous cultural practices are included. In addition, it is important that there are Indigenous patient Navigators or Liaisons to ensure cultural safety within the health care system. Increasing access to cultural and healing practices for community members improves wholistic health and wellness. Each Indigenous community has ties to languages and ways of sharing cultural health and wellness practices.

In the next Stepping Stone, we will reflect on the importance of Indigenous Sporting Competitions and Physical Cultural Celebrations.

Using what you learned throughout this Stepping Stone, consider the following questions.