The Traditional Roles of Caring for Elders: Views from First Nations Elders Regarding Health, Violence, and Elder Abuse

• Main Author: Owen-Williams, Eileen A.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: UTHSC Digital Commons 2012
• Subjects: Community Participatory Research; Determinants of Health; Elder Abuse First Nations; Intergenerational Relationships; Residential Schools; Medicine and Health Sciences; Mental and Social Health; British Columbia; Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: https://dc.uthsc.edu/dissertations/190; https://dc.uthsc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1195&context=dissertations

This study sought to respectfully understand Northern British Columbia First Nations Elders' views regarding health of communities, intergenerational relationships, Elder roles, and violence towards Elders. Injuries, both intentional and unintentional, are a leading cause of death for First Nations Peoples. Information regarding Elder abuse in First Nations communities is lacking, though family violence has been identified as a problem within First Nations communities. The goal of this research was to understand the point of view and Elders' reality through the creation of a dialogue with Elders, and to discern the interface between Traditional First Nations' belief systems, healing methods, and current legal and health care systems within Canada. This study used a community-based participatory research design to explore social and cultural context through the views of Carrier Sekani Elders in the Ts'il Kaz Koh community. The design acted to support the aims of the study which were: To explore how First Nations Elders understand violence in their communities, to explore what First Nations Elders believe gives rise to violence in First Nations communities; to illuminate the factors that First Nations Elder view as affecting the safety and well-being of Elders living in First Nations communities; to explore First Nations Elders' narration of intergenerational relationships before and after contact; and to make clear factors which First Nations Elders view as required for Elders to remain safe and stay within their respective communities. The study followed the CIHR Guidelines for Research with Aboriginal Peoples. Approval was obtained from Carrier Sekani Family Services' Research Review Committee, from the Ts'il Kaz Koh Chief and Council and Ts'il Kaz Koh Community, the Ethics Review Board of the University of Northern British Columbia, and the Institutional Review Board of the University of Tennessee. Informed consent was obtained both from the Ts'il Kaz Koh community and from participating Elders, utilizing ...