The Importance of Identity, History, and Culture in the Wellbeing of Indigenous Youth

Alaska Native youth suffer disproportionately from suicide. Some researchers explain this by pointing to social disintegration brought on by rapid social change, but few make the connection to an ongoing colonialism explicit. This paper articulates some of the ways that colonial discourses affect In...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wexler, Lisa
Format: Text
Language:unknown
Published: SelectedWorks 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:https://works.bepress.com/lisa_wexler/2
https://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=lisa_wexler
Description
Summary:Alaska Native youth suffer disproportionately from suicide. Some researchers explain this by pointing to social disintegration brought on by rapid social change, but few make the connection to an ongoing colonialism explicit. This paper articulates some of the ways that colonial discourses affect Inupiat young people's self-conceptions, perceived choices, and, consequently, their behavioral health. Inupiat youth narratives will illustrate these connections and, in so doing, offer new ways to understand youth suicide in Native communities.