Public Health Commons^™

Through The Eyes Of Children: First Nations Children's Perceptions Of Health, Kyla Annui Ursa English

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Few studies addressing Indigenous children’s health have incorporated the voices of children or integrated an occupational science perspective. In partnership with the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, this community-based study used artwork and sharing circles to understand First Nations children’s perceptions of health during a week-long culture camp. The objectives were: (1) to understand how First Nations children view their health, and (2) to explore how children connect health and culture. Findings demonstrated that children’s perceptions (n=20, aged 10 to 12) focused on physical aspects of health, such as diet and fitness. Children attended much less to spiritual, mental, …