Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment

Argues that negative stereotypes can become self-fulfilling prophecies. In this case, a marketing campaign linked Native American heritage to alcohol use.

Life experiences are shared by Alex, Stephen, Paul and Desirae about alcoholism, trauma in childhood, and how maintaining a traditional Indigenous culture has helped with sobriety. Duration: 58:16.

Chronicles the progress of the BC Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environment (ACADRE) in building research capacity by partnering with Aboriginal organizations and communities.

Looks at how cultural identity can be utilized to combat the negative stereotypes of the Indigenous female drug user.

Elders discuss: payment for chiefs; conduct of and assistance at ceremonies; need for respect towards ceremonies and ceremonial locations. No date given, probably in the early 1970's.

Discussion by Elders who express regrets at loss of traditional customs and values and desire a return of schools on reserves ; a need to preserve Indian ceremonies and Indian medicines ; concerns about problems with alcohol recur throughout.

Wide-ranging discussion among elders touching on many topics including kinship; illegitimate children; ceremonialism; therole of the elder; financing the elder who incurs some costs associated with the organization of a ceremony.

Elders discuss a variety of matters relating to Indian culture and traditions and what can be done to retain or regain these. Most topics are touched on only briefly

Elders discuss contemporary problems. Recurring themes are: problems with alcohol; education by whites from an early age; need to return to traditional teaching by elders in combination with white education.

Elders speak of their concerns regarding leadership on the reserves; new young leaders with education but no experience who ignore the elders and their advice; the failure to educate the young in traditional Indian ways.

Discussion of the educational system: relative merits of day schools, residential schools, integrated schools, etc.; need for inclusion of Indian culture into the curriculum at all levels ; the role of the elder as teacher.

Discussion of: Role of elders in setting young people on the right road ; Importance of breast-feeding and giving up alcohol ; Need for a tipi on each reserve, to be kept for prayer, pipe ceremonies and the counselling of the young.

Primarily statistics from the 2014 General Social Survey (GSS), combined with some from the 2009 General Social Survey (GSS).

Nursing Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Arizona, 2014.

Discusses information collected from interviews of Aboriginal patients living in Minnesota who had been raised outside of their biologic home.

Paper from Without Consent: Confronting Adult Sexual Violence. Looks at the unique Aboriginal customary laws which are in place to deal with violations.

Presents a short story titled, A Crystal Clear Dream, written by Mary Flatmouth.

Author compares the crystal meth drug epidemic to smallpox and advocates that the FSIN must address drug addiction problems that impact Aboriginal communities.

Psychology Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Montana, Missoula 2005

Study results indicate that the drinking culture between the Sami and the Norwegian population is different.

Covers general issues, policy, prevention and chapters focused on persons of African, Asian, Latino and Native American decent.

Interviews graduates of substance abuse treatment program which uses Native American medicine combined with Western models. Presents twelve emerging themes.

Psychology Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of New Mexico, 2001.

Study shows culture-based interventions are positive and help improve client wellness in all areas.

Examines gender and identity, social acceptance by tribal communities and families, and health risks specific to American Indian gay men.

Reports that successful programs incorporate a multilevel community approach and create opportunities for youth to develop self-efficacy and competence.

Examines some of the root causes of mental illness among marginalized, disenfranchised and poor populations.

Discusses programs that incorporate traditional healing practices to those affected by HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.

Discusses programs that have been shown or have the potential to reduce misuse and promote well-being. Seventy-one were reviewed using both Western evaluation methods as well as those developed and refined using practice-based evidence.

Discussion of The Shadow Project, a three year study involving 60 families who had a child entering alcohol and drug inpatient treatment.

Presents survey highlights regarding the success of schools in northern Labrador, Nunavut, northern Saskatchewan, and northern and interior British Columbia.

Discussion of the Omaha Nation Community Response Team (ONCRT) of the Omaha Reservation located in Thurston County, Nebraska; focus of program is providing a system of care which joins treatment and care to a return to core values and traditional culture.

Paper presented at the Symposium on the Politics of Race, Culture, and Health, Ithaca College, Nov. 13-14, 2002.

Comparison of substance abuse programs that incorporate traditional healing practices and the promotion of culture as both preventive and curing agents.

Phase 4 of the project involved validating the Cultural Connectedness Scale – California using a sample of 344 Indigenous adults from the San Francisco Bay Area, California.

3rd edition. Provides overview and directory.

Comparison of sociodemographic characteristics, Native cultural participation, trauma, physical and mental health and substance use.

Demonstrates that two-spirit people reported higher rates of childhood physical abuse, more historical trauma in their families, higher levels of psychological symptoms, more mental health service utilization as well as differences in patterns of alcohol use and were more likely to have used illicit drugs other than marijuana

Chapter 3 of series looks at the health care system including limitations in decision making and governance. Duration: 5:52.

Two individuals describe their experiences with addiction at a STREAM (Saskatchewan Team for Research and Evaluation of Addictions Treatment and Mental Health Services) meeting. Followed by a question and answer period. Duration: 59:25. Presented as part of project headed by Dr. Colleen Dell, University of Saskatchewan Research Chair in Substance Abuse.

Looks at a study to determine the independent effects of Aboriginal income and cultural status on the smoking prevalence in the Saskatoon Health Region.

Results indicate increased call out rate on weekends and Mondays for cardiovascular issues, and mental and behavioural disorders.

Provides information about projects dealing with alcohol and drug abuse in communities, methods being used to minimize alcohol and drug problems, and those available free of charge.

Discusses Malcolm Norris and his political views, his involvement with the Neestow Project, his visions for the future, his family, his frustrations and short-comings.

Describes the situation in Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu regarding kids sniffing gas, and tells a tragic story of 11-year-old Charles Rich who died after accidentally setting himself on fire. Duration: 15:50.

History of the Mushuau Innu including issues of poverty, social disintegration, abuse and federal policy.

Discusses the social disintegration of an Innu settlement and the possible causes. Classroom lesson plan to accompany segment on DVD News in Review. March, 1993.

Focusses on rash of suicides in the village of Povungnituk, Nunavik. Duration: 17:18.

Book review of: Dealing with Alcohol by Sherry Saggers and Dennis Gray.