Grant: Operating Grant - Priority Announcement: Aboriginal Ways of Knowing

There is a lack of health intervention programs for Indigenous youth and many that exist are delivered in culturally inappropriate ways. A four-year study on sexual health in the Six Nations Haudenosaunee community identified the need for cultural teachings and understanding of cultural values and protocol, and advocated the need for culture based interventions to promote sexual health. The Ohero:kon intervention in the Mohawk community of Akwesasne supports the need for youth health interventions based on Indigenous knowledge. Ohero:kon restores cultural knowledge of coming of age as a preparatory process for youth as they transition to adulthood. Through a series of teachings and ceremonies, Ohero:kon connects youth with their cultural knowledge and traditions to develop understandings of identity, life, and creation. Youth learn cultural understandings of puberty, healthy behaviours, and roles and responsibilities. Positive understandings of identity, relationships, communication and behaviours are created fostering resilience and community health. A shared desire to promote the health of Haudenosaunee youth through the restoration of Indigenous knowledge and practice has led to a Six Nations and Akwesasne community-based research partnership. Utilizing Indigenous methodologies, our objective is to evaluate and document Ohero:kon and use it as the foundation to develop a Ohero:kon ritual health intervention at Six Nations. Community Elders, Clan Mothers and the traditional mentorship system of the aunties and uncles will guide the project. Information gathered will be used to create a Ohero:kon framework and curriculum to support the development of Ohero:kon in other Indigenous communities. The project will contribute to the ongoing restoration of cultural health knowledge in Akwesasne and Six Nations. The evaluation will also provide important information about the community impacts and benefits of Ohero:kon to support and promote Indigenous health approaches.