Aboriginal Medicine and Health

Project Description: In this interdisciplinary, seminar-based virtual training, we will critically examine key determinants of Indigenous health as we engage with various concepts, theories, methods, historical and ethical issues. Based on a review of the contemporary literature, we will explore differences between the health and social status of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and identify processes leading to these gaps. We will discuss case studies from Canada to examine ongoing health and healing measures that are being led by Aboriginal communities. Students will be able to learn the critical review of a scholarly paper, critically measure the health status of Aboriginal people in Canada in contemporary time, and produce a research paper at the end of the project. Project Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this project, students will be able to: Identify cultural and theoretical frameworks for understanding traditional knowledge systems and medicines as they relate to Indigenous health and wellness; Examine how colonialism, and its related processes, have disrupted Indigenous health and wellness; Describe and critique the range of methods and methodologies used in Indigenous health scholarship; Think critically and innovatively about how Indigenous research can be most beneficial for supporting Indigenous health and wellness, across varying places and environments. Technical guideline: The research needs to be grounded on Indigenous research paradigm. Based on the objectives of the study, we have tentatively chosen the following methods to conduct research. If a student intends to use a different methods, she/ he needs to consult the research supervisor and discuss the feasibility of the technique. The methods might change according to project need. The project will be guided by OCAP principles. The project recommends a mixed method approach by using both Indigenous and non-indigenous techniques. A student can follow both or any one of them. Open ended interview: We will have project virtual gathering and after each gathering, only the Elders participants from the gathering can be interviewed. The interview questions will be open-ended and will focus on the history, practice and benefits of cultural and traditional knowledge. Story telling: During the gathering the Elders will be requested to share cultural stories related to the particular skill. Data on significance of cultural practices should be analyzed and thematized and correlated with participants’ response. Pre-requisite: Students must have foundational knowledge of aboriginal history, politics and culture. They should also have some basic knowledge on conducting research with Aboriginal Elders and community protocols on connecting with Elders. Priorities will be given to students who has completed UCN's research methodology course with Aboriginal and Northern Studies Program.

Transcribing interviews and organizing qualitative data

Objective: The overall objective of this proposed project is to integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Western science in order to explore the promise of value-added fish products in Northern Manitoba. As part of this project we would require students to participate in: Transcribing Indigenous fishers' interview to word documents using Otter.ai platform Organizing the final word documents Assist in importing and organizing data into Dedoose software (qualitative analysis) For additional information see summary of the projects' objective below: Objective 1: To determine which fish species have been traditionally caught and used in Cree (Ininew/Inniniwak) communities in Northern Manitoba and to document Indigenous knowledge surrounding fish species with high potential value within these communities and to the South. Activities: Individual interviews have been conducted with total of 30 Elders and fishers in Misipawistik Cree Nation and the Métis community of Grand Rapids Interviews: The intent of these interviews were to identify and characterize: 1) the species and common names of fish caught by local fishers; 2) differences in fish species and quantity in summer and winter and how these numbers have changed over time and how they vary among communities; 3) the current appeal of these species and their cultural and likely nutritional value; 4) processing, preservation, and recipes for each species and associated value-added products; 5) changes experienced in local dietary habits around fish consumption, as well as, preferences and impacts on traditional livelihoods, notably changes in the quality of country foods; and 6) species and products that participants feel have high potential to be consumed by local Indigenous residents if given the opportunity. Quantitative data analysis: The interview transcripts will be coded into Dedoose software and any emergent themes will be identified and matched .

Research Assistant: Indigenous Language Documentation and Resource Development

Indigenous language documentation and allyship, teaching methodologies and resource development for learners

Aboriginal Oral History Methodology

Project Description: Emphasis will be placed on the cultural, practical and critical issues involved when using oral history methods. Topics include interview techniques, data collection and analysis, appropriation, ethics, protocol and global and regional examples of oral historical projects. Central to the course is the fact that Aboriginal oral histories continue to be told, retold, validated and interpreted within Aboriginal communities and also within cross-cultural contexts such as academic communities, the courts and in curriculum development. Students are given the opportunity to carry out a small-scale oral history project. At the end of the project students will be able to independently complete a research project. Project Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate critical thinking, observational and analytical skills; 2. Demonstrate written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills by actively participating seminars and engaging in critical discussion; 3. Demonstrate an understanding of interview techniques, data collection and analysis, ethics, protocol and global and regional examples of oral historical projects; 4. Identify issues related to oral history methodologies, particularly as it relates to Aboriginal peoples and communities. Project Pre-requisite: There are some pre-requisite for this project. Students much have basic knowledge on Aboriginal history and politics and also foundational knowledge on conducting research with Aboriginal communities and interviewing Elders. Priorities will be given to students who have taken Introduction to Aboriginal Studies and Research Methodology in Aboriginal and Northern Studies Program courses with UCN. Students must have basic knowledge on Interview outlines and questions, OCAP principles, effective interviewing techniques, legal and ethical concerns of research. Objectives: To acquire skills on oral history methodology, students will write a research proposal, complete the research ethics protocol, complete REB CORE tutorial, prepare interview questions, conduct one interview, analyze interview data and write the final research report. They can choose any topic related to Aboriginal history culture politics from the past and can interview one Elder. Deliverable: Students will produce one paper at the end of the project.