Indigenous Elders' Conceptualization of Wellbeing: An Anishinaabe Worldview Perspective

Abstract

Language and cultural revitalization are vital in developing the self-healing capacity of Indigenous Peoples. This study emphasized the perspective of 1st language speaking Elders, our knowledge keepers and community leaders, to critically examine what it means to be well for one Indigenous Nation in the Midwest. Semi-structured interviews with Elders were administered in the Anishinaabe language by fluent second language speakers. The interviews were transcribed in Anishinaabe and translated into English with the guidance of the Elders. The Anishinaabe and English transcripts were used simultaneously in analysis. The conceptualization of wellbeing for these Elders was a complex and interrelated system grounded in spiritual connectedness and guided by Anishinaabe language and ways of life. The results broaden the perspectives available on Indigenous wellbeing and are important to consider as we study culture as healing and implement cultural-based health programs within Indigenous communities.