Lona' tshistanet (meaning Firekeepers): Enhancing Coming of Age (COA) for Oneida

Dan Ashbourne

Kahawani Doxtator

Jason Brown

Impact

  • This project was able to bring the Oneida Indigenous community together during the COVID-19 pandemic and instill youth members of the community with stronger community sense and resilience.

  • The project helped the Oneida Indigenous community develop mental health and well-being approaches that incorporated traditional knowledge and spirituality and western techniques.

  • Ontario

  • Grant

  • University of Western Ontario

  • London Family Court Clinic

  • Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health

  • 2020-2021

  • Indigenous Mental Health

  • Indigenous, Youth (aged 13-18)

About the Project

This research team devised a wellness program called “Lona' tshistanet” developed by Indigenous youth. This program combined traditional and holistic therapeutic healing practices with Western mental health practices that involves thoughts, feelings and behaviors for skill development. The objective of this research project was to enhance spiritual connectedness and mental well-being of youth from the Oneida community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project focused on equipping Oneida youth with  positive coping skills and other skills-based training including mindfulness, emotional regulation, amongst others.

Methodology

The research team organized 12 mental wellness skill-learning virtual workshops and a summer camp between April 2021 and April 2022, with a total participation of close to 230 members from the Oneida community. The participants were paired with older mentors within the community and partook in cultural learning activities adapted to intergenerational family participant groups to improve connectedness to culture and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team collected qualitative data by conducting 19 group and individual interviews of youth to understand perceptions of intersections between culture, identity, and mental health.

Findings

Six themes emerged from responses to the question:

  • Cultural identity’s importance to mental well-being;

  • Indigenous identity and belonging;

  • Cultural practice improves community engagement;

  • Spiritual connectedness’ importance for holistic healing;

  • Learning helps self-discovery; and

  • Strength through cultural pride.

Project Outreach

  • This project was conducted exclusively for the Oneida community within the Oneida Reserve in Southern Ontario.

Resources Created

  • 1 article

    • https://www.lfcc.on.ca/news/oneida-nation-families-calls-for-more-cultural-programs-after-well-received-lonatshistanet-project/

  • 3 presentations