Concept Mapping: Application of a Community-Based Methodology in Three Urban Aboriginal Populations

• Published in: American Indian Culture and Research Journal
• Main Authors: Firestone, Michelle, Smylie, Janet, Maracle, Sylvia, Siedule, Connie, De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Access Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario, O'Campo, Patricia
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: California Digital Library (CDL) 2014
• Subjects: First Nations; inuit
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.17953/aicr.38.4.571154up25876h72; http://meridian.allenpress.com/aicrj/article-pdf/38/4/85/1364644/aicr_38_4_571154up25876h72.pdf

The goal of this research was to develop accessible and culturally relevant urban Aboriginal health information in Ontario. Concept mapping was used to engage Aboriginal stakeholders in identifying health concerns and priorities, with key stakeholders participating from three communities: First Nations people in Hamilton through De dwa da dehs ney>s Aboriginal Health Access Centre (DAHC), Inuit people in Ottawa through Tungasuvvingat Inuit Family Health Team (TIFHT) and Métis people in Ottawa through the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). Each community participated in the three concept-mapping activities and generated statements regarding health and health related issues in their communities. Concept systems software was used to create initial cluster maps, which were finalized during map interpretation sessions. Each of the clusters on the unique community maps represented a community health domain. The chosen domain labels and their ratings strongly reflected local First Nations, Inuit, and Métis understandings of health. Concept mapping is found to be an effective and culturally relevant community-based method for urban Aboriginal health research, building on traditional indigenous methods, encouraging cross-community participation and contributing to three unique health assessment tools that challenge existing illness-based narratives for these populations and reflect indigenous-specific social determinants of health.