An exploration of cultural grounding in Indigenous health promotion

Perspectives from First Nations communities in Canada

Bibliographic Data

ID22946006
AuthorsBrittany McBeath (0000-0001-8734-6423, Queen's University), Martine C Lévesque (Faculté de médecine, École de réadaptation, Université de Montréal , 7077, Avenue du Parc, Montréal, QC, Canada H3N 1X7), Martine Lévesque (0000-0001-9253-594X, Université de Montréal), Lucie Lévesque (0000-0003-1442-0703, Queen's University), Sonia Périllat-Amédée (McGill University), Revathi Sahajpal (McGill University), M C Tremblay (0000-0002-4965-2515, Université Laval), Treena Delormier (0000-0002-3811-8659, McGill University)
Year2025
Volume40
Issue6
Publication date2025-10-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/daaf211
PMID41384729
OpenAlexW4417296353
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited38

This article explores the evolving field of Indigenous health promotion, highlighting the use and endorsement of conventional health promotion models despite ongoing efforts toward decolonization. Although some Indigenous-led initiatives exist, such as the Kahnawà:ke Schools Diabetes Prevention Program (KSDPP), deeply entrenched funding models perpetuate dependency on colonial governments, marginalizing traditional knowledge and leadership within Indigenous community health systems. Drawing on community-engaged and participatory research, this study explored the potential of community mobilization to decolonize health promotion in Indigenous communities. The study, conducted during the delivery of KSDPP Community Mobilization Training sessions, explored diverse First Nations community member perspectives on culturally grounded health promotion: what it looks like and how it is implemented. Utilizing talking circles, the study identifies four core knowledge translation processes that illuminate both the nature and practical implementation of culturally grounded health promotion. These processes were grouped as experiential education, social-collaborative, adaptive, and personal cultural healing. The findings underscore the urgent need to recognize and support the ongoing shift toward Indigenous-led health promotion interventions grounded in culture and to challenge the continued reliance on Western health promotion frameworks in Indigenous settings.

Citizen journalism · Community-based participatory research · Experiential learning · Grounded theory · Health equity · Health promotion · Indigenous · Participatory action research · Psychological intervention · Traditional knowledge · Community Health and Development · Cultural Competency in Health Care · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights

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