Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Land-based interventions (LBI; e.g., hunting, trapping) have contributed to decreased rates of substance use and mental health difficulties for Indigenous peoples. Clients engaging in LBIs at Indigenous-led treatment facilities may have higher rates of adverse childhood experiences (i.e., ACEs, or experiences of abuse, neglect, and/or household dysfunction before the age of 18) because rates of ACEs have been found to be higher for populations with substance use disorders (SUDs) compared to populations without, and for Indigenous populations compared to non-Indigenous populations. Little research is available outlining how LBIs support positive mental health outcomes specifically for Indigenous individuals with SUDs and high ACEs. More research is also needed to understand facilitators and challenges that exist around long-term inclusion of LBIs into treatment programs and communities. The present line of research addresses these gaps via three studies. In Study 1, survey responses from clients attending a substance use treatment facility for Indigenous clients will be gathered to understand how ACEs impact one's motivation to engage with LBIs during treatment. In Study 2, interviews with service providers and clients from the same treatment facility will be collected and summarized to understand how client ACEs impact outcomes of LBIs during treatment and what facilitators and challenges exist when including LBIs in treatment. In Study 3, national population level data will be analyzed to understand how social determinants of health (e.g., housing, income) impact participation in LBIs at the community level. The various perspectives gathered will provide a better understanding of how LBIs can support healing for Indigenous populations with SUDs and ACEs, as well as how to ensure the accessibility and availability of LBIs in treatment programs and communities. Findings will also inform public policy regarding resource allocation for mental health supports.