There are unequivocal health disparities, both physical and mental, between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of Canada. Utilizing narrative inquiry, a qualitative methodology, 15 néhiyawak (Plains Cree people) between 18 and 71 years of age from Thunderchild First Nation were interviewed to explore what improved their mental health and well-being and what they needed to attain optimal mental health and well-being. The néhiyawak interviewed for this study responded with descriptions of strength and resilience. By posing questions that focused on the positive, the strengths, and resilience of the néhiyawak in this study came to the forefront. Narrative thematic analysis of the interviews conducted with the néhiyawak from Thunderchild First Nation consistently revealed four overarching themes that highlighted what positively impacted their mental health and well-being and their perceived needs to attain optimal mental health and well-being: relationships; spiritual beliefs and cultural practices; tānisīsi wāpahtaman pimātisiwin (worldview); and ēkwa ōhi kikwaya piko ka-ispayiki kīspin ka-nohtē-miyo-mahcihoyān (these are the things that need to happen if I want to be healthy). The néhiyawak in this study described holistic health determinants that could best be associated with the medicine wheel and the determinants of health as making a positive difference to their mental health and as necessary for them to obtain optimal mental health and well-being. These results suggest that mental health programming and intervention should be harmonious with Indigenous culture; utilize a holistic approach that takes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being into consideration; and address the existing mental health disparities using the determinants of health as a framework, with an increased focus on the current socio-economic status of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

There are unequivocal health disparities, both physical and mental, between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of Canada. Utilizing narrative inquiry, a qualitative methodology, 15 néhiyawak (Plains Cree people) between 18 and 71 years of age from Thunderchild First Nation were interviewed to explore what improved their mental health and well-being and what they needed to attain optimal mental health and well-being. The néhiyawak interviewed for this study responded with descriptions of strength and resilience. By posing questions that focused on the positive, the strengths, and resilience of the néhiyawak in this study came to the forefront. Narrative thematic analysis of the interviews conducted with the néhiyawak from Thunderchild First Nation consistently revealed four overarching themes that highlighted what positively impacted their mental health and well-being and their perceived needs to attain optimal mental health and well-being: relationships; spiritual beliefs and cultural practices; tānisīsi wāpahtaman pimātisiwin (worldview); and ēkwa ōhi kikwaya piko ka-ispayiki kīspin ka-nohtē-miyo-mahcihoyān (these are the things that need to happen if I want to be healthy). The néhiyawak in this study described holistic health determinants that could best be associated with the medicine wheel and the determinants of health as making a positive difference to their mental health and as necessary for them to obtain optimal mental health and well-being. These results suggest that mental health programming and intervention should be harmonious with Indigenous culture; utilize a holistic approach that takes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being into consideration; and address the existing mental health disparities using the determinants of health as a framework, with an increased focus on the current socio-economic status of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

This Master’s thesis seeks to develop a better understanding of how Indigenous voices can be included in water governance. As a starting point, social learning theory, collaborative governance and Indigenous and Canadian relations were carefully studied. Despite the large body of research on collaborative governance with First Nations and on social learning in water governance, little is known specifically about social learning processes in colonial contexts. Using grounded theory and Indigenous methodologies, this research investigates how the current approach to implementing the Province’s legal constitutional, “duty to consult” affects social learning processes and the inclusion of Indigenous people in water governance. Findings indicate that the laws and policies that have been created based on the Crown’s interpretation of Treaty 8, an agreement signed between the Fort Nelson First Nation and Canada in 1899. This duty to consult constrains social learning, as it does not allow for the flexibility needed for a reframing process that might bring the actors to a common understanding of Treaty 8, the treaty relationship and its application as such today, as a basis for future collaboration. Without reframing processes, the consultation process is perceived by the Fort Nelson First Nation, a Treaty 8 nation, to lack legitimacy and neutral facilitation. Subsequently, consultation is seen as a checkbox that must be completed, but fails to include First Nations’ knowledge, interests and concerns about impacts from development and appropriate accommodation. This research also investigates a new governance arrangement emerging in northeast BC, which changes the way Fort Nelson First Nation voices are included in decision-making. Processes of nation building and capacity building contribute to Fort Nelson First Nation’s New Approach to governance. The New Approach sees changes to the sites of authority, revenue and norms and beliefs, resulting in a governance innovation that circumvents the provincial government’s role in governance by creating a closer working relationship between industry and the Fort Nelson First Nation. The results are development planning and decisions that better reflect the Fort Nelson First Nation’s concerns and interests in the near future. / Graduate

This archaeological community-engaged research focuses on locating, recording, photographing, and classifying, rock art (pictographs and petroglyphs) designs within Heiltsuk and Wuikinuxv Nations’ territories. The two areas are on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada: River’s Inlet/Owikeno Lake (Wuikinuxv Territory, near Oweekeno village), and Roscoe Inlet (Heiltsuk Territory, near Bella Bella). By listening to stories and visiting rock art locations its deep history and significance can begin to be comprehended. Throughout this research 58 rock art sites were visited and over 900 designs were categorized into nine types. Within this context I consider the feasibility and benefits of digital contrast adjustment of photographs using DStretch, a plugin created for ImageJ, that renders visible faint traces of pigment which can not be seen with the naked eye. Additionally, the potential of underwater archaeology (scuba diving) for the discovery and recording of rock art sites is explored. / Graduate / 0324

The prevalence of diabetes and obesity in Aboriginal populations across North America is a cause for concern. Regular physical activity has been shown to mitigate these risk factors. Despite this, there is a limited body of research that assesses the physical activity behaviors of Aboriginal people in Canada. Further. no studies have applied Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to determine the social and cognitive motivations of Aboriginal peoples to engage in physical activity. The purpose of this mixed method research was to determine the physical activity behaviors and motivations of a population of First Nation adults. Data collection consisted of the completion of the TPB questionnaire (N = 53) as well as focus group interviews (N=12) to determine the physical activity behaviors and belief-based perceptions, as per the TPB, of First Nation adults as they relate to engaging in physical activity. The research was conducted with participation of the Westbank First Nation, an Okanagan Nation band located near Kelowna. British Columbia. Quantitative analysis using hierarchical regression was used to determine the motivations of First Nation adults to engage in physical activity. Qualitative data analysis methods were used to construct themes representing motivations for physical activity common to the research participants. Results offer partial support for using the TPB to understand the motivations of Westbank First Nation adults. Further. Westbank First Nation adults have unique beliefs and meanings related to physical activity compared to the general population.

This research project explores ways in which place-based Indigenous perspectives can inform national park ‘visitor experience’ planning, management, and information delivery. Engaged in collaborative processes with Tseshaht First Nation, this project explores knowledge of Tseshaht-identified places of cultural significance in Tseshaht traditional territory, discussed in the context of creating a web-based digital map. In attempting to explore Nuu-chah-nulth-informed ways in which to more widely share cultural history and knowledge in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, I learned of the many dynamics that are revealed when the depth of Nuu-chah-nulth connections to place are made visible. This research project examines knowledge, power, and place in the context of Indigenous self-representation. Informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and Indigenous principles of knowledge-sharing, this thesis is an ethnography of knowledge-sharing in modern contexts fraught with issues of state power, commodification, and colonialism. / Graduate

The following research focuses on sociocultural relationships and sociospatial dynamics between humans and dogs in the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach and in the Innu Nation of Matimekush-Lac John and the town of Schefferville. These communities face multiple issues related to dogs including the lack of veterinary services, coupled with issues related to canine overpopulation, and the transmission of zoonoses such as rabies from contact between dogs and wildlife. We examined the role of dogs and their keepers in these subarctic communities. We also explored how dogs impact the wellbeing of the population living in said communities and how keepers impact the wellbeing of dogs. Despite being described as a pet rather than a working dog, specific roles are assigned to dogs by research participants, particularly the provision of protection and companionship. However, the findings of the study indicate that keepers also plays an essential role, not only through protection and companionship, but also by tending to their dog(s). The evidence from this study suggests that dogs and their keepers have mutually beneficial relations. These research results suggest that the narrative portrayed through mainstream media outlets disregard the daily roles played by dogs and their Indigenous keepers within the communities of Kawawachikamach and Matimekush-Lac-John. / Ce projet de recherche porte sur les relations socioculturelles et la dynamique sociospatiale entre les humains et leurs chiens dans la nation Naskapi de Kawawachikamach, la nation Innu de Matimekush-Lac John et la ville de Schefferville. Ces communautés sont confrontées à de multiples problèmes liés aux chiens, y compris le manque de services vétérinaires, couplé à des problèmes liés à la surpopulation de chien et à la transmission de zoonoses telles que la rage par contact entre les chiens et la faune. Nous avons examiné́ le rôle des chiens et de leurs gardiens dans ces communautés subarctiques ainsi que l'impact des chiens sur le bien-être de la population vivant dans ces communautés et l'impact des gardiens sur le bien-être de leurs chiens. Bien que le chien soit décrit comme un animal de compagnie plutôt que comme un animal de travail, des rôles spécifiques lui sont attribués par les participants, en particulier le rôle de protecteur et de compagnon. Cependant, les résultats de cette étude indiquent que le gardien du chien joue également des rôles essentiels, non seulement celui de protection et de compagnon, mais aussi celui de « prendre soin » de son (ses) chien (s). Les données de cette étude suggèrent que les relations des chiens et de leurs gardiens sont mutuellement bénéfiques. Ces résultats suggèrent que le récit présenté sur les chiens dans les communautés du nord par les principaux médias ne prend pas en compte les rôles quotidiens joués par les chiens et leurs gardiens autochtones au sein des communautés de Kawawachikamach et Matimekush-Lac-John.

Ce mémoire vise à approfondir les débats sur la participation politique des Autochtones au Canada, en particulier les jeunes. Les recherches sur le sujet concluent que la participation électorale est plus faible chez les personnes autochtones et que cette différence est encore plus marquée chez les jeunes. Si plusieurs raisons peuvent expliquer ces plus faibles taux, les études soulignent en particulier le cynisme et l’aliénation causés par les politiques coloniales. À première vue, on pourrait donc penser que les jeunes Autochtones représentent une catégorie dépolitisée et désengagée d’individus. Pourtant, nous montrons dans la présente étude que le portrait est plus complexe. Grâce à des entrevues conduites auprès de six jeunes Anishinaabe de la communauté de Timiskaming First Nation, nous pouvons affirmer que s’il y a bel et bien un certain cynisme et un désengagement chez ces jeunes face à la politique comprise de manière formelle, comme la participation électorale, l’implication au sein d’un parti ou même la participation au sein de leur conseil de bande, cela ne veut en aucun cas dire qu’ils sont passifs ou dépolitisés. Ces jeunes sont fortement impliqués au niveau communautaire et dans le processus de revitalisation et/ou de protection culturelle de leur communauté. Même si ces jeunes n’articulent pas nécessairement ces actions comme étant de nature explicitement politique, elles témoignent d’une volonté d’agir sur la communauté qui relève bel et bien de l’engagement politique. Sur la base de cette étude, nous invitons donc à nuancer les travaux qui concluent au désengagement des jeunes Autochtones. / This thesis contributes to the debates on political participation of Indigenous youth in Canada. Existing research shows a significantly lower electoral participation rate among Indigenous individuals, especially Indigenous youth. This low participation rate is explained, among others, by a high level of cynicism and a sense of alienation resulting from colonial policies that discouraged political engagement among Indigenous peoples. We may therefore think that Indigenous youth are depoliticized and disengaged. This research shows a more complex reality. Thanks to in-depth interviews with six young Anishinaabe members of the community of Timiskaming First Nation, we conclude that they are indeed somewhat cynical concerning formal modes of political participation, such as voting, joining a party or even working for the Band Council of their community. However, they are also strongly involved in community work and in cultural revitalization and protection activities. Even if these youths do not consider such activities as political, they do testify to a desire to change their community that is arguably political. This study therefore provides a more nuanced portrait than existing studies on the political disengagement of Indigenous youths.

The concept of biodiversity – the phenotypic and genotypic variation among organisms – is central to conservation biology. There is growing recognition that biodiversity does not exist in isolation, but rather is intrinsically and evolutionarily linked to cultural diversity and indigenous knowledge systems. In Canada, caribou (Rangifer tarandus) occupy a central place in the livelihoods and identities of indigenous people and display substantial variation across their distribution. However, quantifying caribou intraspecific variation has proven challenging. Interdisciplinary approaches are necessary to produce effective species characterizations and conservation strategies that acknowledge the interdependent relationships between people and nature in complex social-ecological systems. In this dissertation I use multiple disciplinary traditions to develop comprehensive and united representations of caribou variation through an exploration of population genetics, phylogenetics, traditional knowledge, language, and visual approaches in the Sahtú region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. First, I examine caribou variation through analysis of population genetics and the relationships Dene and Métis people establish with animals within bioculturally diverse systems. Next, I focus on how the Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles have shaped the current patterns of caribou phylogeographic lineage diversification. Finally, I explore how art can be used to facilitate cross-cultural collaboration and externalize the unique heterogeneity of biocultural diversity. The results demonstrate a broad scale understanding of the distribution, spatial organization, and the degree of differentiation of caribou populations in the region. I found evidence for caribou population differentiation that corresponds to the caribou types recognized by Dene people: tǫdzı “boreal woodland caribou,” ɂekwę́ “barren-ground caribou,” and shúhta ɂepę́ “mountain caribou.” Phylogenetic results reveal that in their northern margin the boreal ecotype of woodland caribou evolved independently from the northern Beringian lineage in contrast with southern boreal caribou which belong to the sub-Laurentide refugia lineage. In addition, I demonstrate how art can be used improve communication, participation, and knowledge production among interdisciplinary research collaborations and across language and knowledge systems. A collaborative process of research that facilitates łeghágots'enetę “learning together” has the potential to produce sustainable conservation solutions, develop efficient and effective wildlife management policies, and ensure caribou remain an important part of the landscape. / February 2017

Educational institutions have not yet succeeded in their quest to formally educate Aboriginal students with success. In an effort to increase the graduation levels, many school districts have implemented mandates to hire more Aboriginal teachers and administrators. Through sharing her lived experience as an Indigenous elementary principal the researcher argues that although many bureaucratic organizations have formal policies to hire Aboriginal people into leadership positions, they still seek to maintain their power to keep the status quo in their organizations. This qualitative autoethnographic study acknowledges Indigenous ways of knowing through the sharing of stories and experience. The experiences will highlight emotional and cultural struggles that one can face when differing cultures and values emerge in a bureaucratic system based on colonialist viewpoints. Due to the vantage point of an insider, the researcher has traced her life from childhood and shared experiences and stories as a mixed-blood Mohawk woman and leader in the education system. Through an examination of signifying moments these stories depict a personal struggle for identity in her role as a female Mohawk principal in a school with a predominant Aboriginal student population. Chosen stories and incidents are recounted to reveal the social, political, historical, institutional, and cultural systems that are embedded within society. Both the researcher and her mother’s stories are universal in terms of experience that transcends understanding among Aboriginal people who are aiming to create organizational change. This genre of qualitative research will allow the reader to see the ongoing transformation that has occurred in the researcher’s first five years as an administrator in the public school system. Her upbringing and her mother’s teachings are internalized and become the catalyst for navigating through turbulent times and allow for continuing growth as an Indigenous leader in education. / Graduate