Restoring Indigenous languages in the healthcare environment will keep Shared Memories Alive and Maintain Cultural Unity
Presenter(s)
Fiona Slota
Affiliation
The University of Winnipeg
Topic
Language as a Vehicle of Culture
Type
Papers
Abstract
Revitalizing Indigenous languages is essential for the health and well-being of Individuals and communities. It is important in maintaining cultural traditions and keeping shared memories alive. Memories are embedded within our bodies, memories are alive, additionally memories and their influence are often far removed from healthcare environments. This research aims to show how integrating Indigenous languages into healthcare environments protect shared memories, preserve cultural identity, thereby improving health outcomes for Indigenous communities through a sustainable development lens on that is necessary and provide meaningful change. The research's main question is: How do we incorporate Indigenous languages in healthcare to enhance and maintain cultural unity, at the same time improving the health and well-being of communities through the lens of shared memories? A theme that arises, is when Indigenous languages are absent from healthcare, there is a disconnect from traditional healing practices, which can lead to worse health outcomes. Research has shown the absence of one's language leads to loss cultural identity and the shared memories communicated in those languages. Additionally, there are gaps in previous research that looked at how to bring Indigenous languages into healthcare. This research fills the gap by looking at how revitalization Indigenous languages in health care setting build healthier communities. This topic is important because languages hold memories of the past, present and the future. This study reviewed existing research on memory, trauma, and language revitalization in healthcare. It combined findings from different studies to show how using Indigenous languages in healthcare will improve patient trust in healthcare and outcomes. It helps strengthen cultural identity, keep traditions alive, hence build trust between patients and healthcare providers.
