The Indigenous Connectedness Framework for Understanding the Causes, Consequences, and Solutions to Substance Misuse in Indigenous Children’s Development

Abstract

Research in Indigenous communities continues to lead innovations in the adversity and resilience sciences. These innovations highlight the strengths of Indigenous communities and are an act of resistance against prevailing stereotypes that Indigenous communities are vulnerable and wholly restrained by health deficits. The aim of this Supplemental Issue on Substance Misuse and Disorder and American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Children’s Development: Understanding Root Causes and Lifting up Solutions Grounded in Indigenous Community Strengths is to highlight the promising new approaches and perspectives implemented by a group of engaged researchers and their community partners, as they seek to move resilience science research forward. Case studies presented in this issue are from projects led by teams connected to the Native Children’s Research Exchange (NCRE) conference, all of whom conduct health promotion and disease prevention research among American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Sparked by several major exogenous shocks to the current landscape of the American milieu, namely, the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd (increased visibility of overt racism in the USA), and climate change, this article presents a model for conducting research with Indigenous Communities that acknowledges these forces while highlighting community strengths.