Celebrating Alutiiq cultural revitalization: pathways to holistic individual health and community wellness

• Main Author: Mete, Margaret Susan Draskovich
• Other Authors: John, Theresa, Koskey, Michael, Counceller, April, Drabek, Alisha, Topkok, Sean Asiqłuq
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Health and hygiene; Kodiak Island; Mental health; Alutiiq core values; Cultural revitalization; Holistic health; Indigenous studies; Spiritual; Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies; alutiiq; Kodiak; Alaska
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11122/13002

Dissertation (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2021 It is well understood that disease is a consequence of varied causation. Despite the fact that many health care providers acknowledge the importance of treating patients in a comprehensive manner in order to successfully cure sickness or alleviate symptoms, the contemporary medical system dispenses care in a fragmented and frequently incomplete manner. The essential differences between Indigenous epistemologies and the predominant Western worldview has had a more devastating impact on well-being and infirmity than is often recognized. The intention of this research is to explore the importance of promoting balanced holistic health care at a deeper and more essential level in order to address root causes, accessed through communication with the natural and spiritual realms, versus merely treating the physical expressions of illness. Chapter 1: Introduction and rationale -- 1.1. Overview -- 1.2. Understanding the importance of my own story in this process -- 1.3. Connecting to the land that is home -- 1.4. The Alutiiq people of Kodiak Island -their story of healing and resilience -- 1.5. Feeling with an indigenous heart and learning to think with an indigenous mind -- 1.6. Purpose and intention of this research -- 1.7. Theoretical framework. Chapter 2: Literature review -- 2.1. Overview -- 2.2. The healing influence of relationship with spirit and nature -- 2.3. Historical influences that shaped Western worldviews -- 2.4. Current result from shifting focus to western scientific approach on wellness -- 2.5. Holistic is comprehensive but balance is the key -- 2.6. Quantum physics helps Western science accept subjective influences on health -- 2.7. Traditional healing practices review--a caution leads to deeper understanding -- 2.8. Kodiak Alutiiq cultural values -- 2.9. Evolving understanding. Chapter 3: Methods -- 3.1. Overview -- 3.2. Theoretical paradigm/framework -- 3.3. Research perspective -- 3.4. Methodology selection -- 3.5. Alutiiq community ...