Thèse (M.Sc.) -- Université Laval, 2003. / Bibliogr.: f. 76-89. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 91-99.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 85-90.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Restricted until October 2005. Bibliography: leaves 99-103.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trent University, Peterborough, Ont., 1999. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

In Canada, falls are one of the leading causes of injury and deaths for seniors. These types of injuries can typically be avoided through falls prevention programs, and past studies suggest that these health services have significantly reduced seniors’ falls risk and rates in Canada. Despite the abundance of falls prevention research, practices and programs available in the country, Aboriginal Elders remain overrepresented in fall-related injury and fatality rates. The elevated rates of falls for Aboriginal Elders indicate that current falls prevention programs and standards may not be reaching those most vulnerable to fall hazards and injuries. My thesis is written in the publishable paper format and is comprised of two papers. Using an exploratory case study methodology in paper one, I investigated the social determinants of health that Inuvialuit Elders and LFPPs identify as factors that increase, decrease, or have no effect on the likelihood of an Inuvialuit Elder experiencing a fall. Together, we found that personal health status and conditions, personal health practices and coping skills, physical environments, social support networks, and access to health services increase Inuvialuit Elders likelihood of experiencing a fall, health practices and coping skills and access to health services decrease Inuvialuit Elders likelihood of experiencing a fall, and culture has no affect on the likelihood of Inuvialuit Elders experiencing a fall. In paper two, I used a participatory action research approach informed by postcolonial theory to examine what current falls prevention recommendations are offered by local falls prevention programmers (LFPPs) in order to reduce fall rates among Inuvialuit Elders in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada; and to understand how falls prevention programs for Inuvialuit Elders can be co-created with participants to be culturally safe. In it, I provide the recommended strategies of developing and implementing a culturally safe falls prevention program for Inuvialuit Elders, as suggested by the LFPPs and Inuvialuit Elders who participated in the research. Taken together, the papers in this thesis make it apparent that research concerning falls prevention for Aboriginal Elders and falls prevention programs continues to be influenced by colonial practices. As a result, there is a demonstrated need for program development and research in this area to work towards reducing health disparities and challenging colonial practices.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Cette thèse se veut un examen de la protection accordée aux droits linguistiques des autochtones du Québec et de l’Ontario par le droit international, le droit constitutionnel canadien et la législation fédérale et provinciale. Par l’étude des dispositions législatives, de la jurisprudence et de la doctrine pertinentes, on tente de déterminer la portée des obligations des gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux relativement à la protection des langues autochtones. Bien que la revitalisation de leurs langues doive se faire avant tout par les autochtones, l’État a un rôle important à jouer dans le développement et la promotion des langues, par exemple en mettant en place des programmes de financement ou en favorisant l’usage des langues autochtones à l’extérieur des communautés. On remarque une ouverture à la reconnaissance de droits linguistiques en faveur des autochtones, même s’ils ne jouissent pas encore de droits comparables à ceux reconnus aux minorités francophones et anglophones.

Nunavut Inuit youths exhibit cultural resilience and leadership. However, researchers frequently neglect such assets and instead emphasize these youths’ challenges or perceived inadequacies. I conducted an intrinsic case study regarding Nunavut Inuit youths’ experiences with an experiential learning program, Northern Youth Abroad (NYA), in order to investigate participants’ growth in cross-cultural awareness, individual career goals, leadership, and global citizenship. Drawing on post-colonial theory, semi-structured interviews, archival research, and participant observation, I argue that NYA’s Nunavut Inuit participants reported significant personal growth in these four objectives. I also provide an in-depth analysis of how NYA’s Nunavut Inuit participants described and developed distinct and rich leadership styles that draw on Inuit and Euro-Canadian influences.