Cultural Well-being Research Articles

Sailing along the global tobacco supply chain: public health insights of innovative database project

Abstract Background Tobacco control commonly focuses on reducing tobacco demand rather than tobacco supply. This paper presents findings from a major four-year project on the tobacco supply chain. Transnational Tobacco and Leaf Companies (TTLCs) and other tobacco supply chain companies argue that provision of livelihoods, exports and corporate social responsibility (CSR) exonerates tobacco. Our objective was to consider these claims. Methods This paper presents the results of three studies: a literature review and two analyses of data from the innovative Tobacco Supply Chain Database (TSCD). Study 1: A scoping review of academic literature (n = 124 papers) reviewing how the tobacco supply chain embeds the tobacco industry as a development actor. Study 2: The statistical association between countries hosting TTLC subsidiaries (TSCD) and TTLC interference in health policy (Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index) was analysed (n = 76 countries). Study 3: Document and website analysis of TSCD non-TTLC tobacco supply chain companies comparing descriptions of CSR and tobacco supply chain involvement (n = 80 companies). Results Study 1: Although there are instances of advantages of involvement in the tobacco supply chain, TTLCs tends to be associated with declines in tobacco workers’ income, equality, quality of life (cultural and health and wellbeing) and nations’ environment and economy. Study 2: Countries that hosted more TTLCs had more policy interference (farming subsidiaries p=.046, tobacco product manufacturing subsidiaries p=.008). Study 3: Non-TTLC companies often lack transparency regarding their connection to tobacco. For example, 68% linked to CSR activity on their homepage whereas only 16% linked to involvement in the tobacco supply chain. Conclusions Tobacco supply chain involvement is detrimental to public health, the environment and governance. Countries and companies should seek to extricate themselves from the tobacco supply chain. Key messages • Tobacco supply chain involvement weakens public health governance despite CSR activities. Lack of transparency on supply chain involvement by companies is thus a concern. • The new Tobacco Supply Chain Database illuminates previously hidden areas of the tobacco supply chain: the location of tobacco industry subsidiaries and presence of independent companies.

Comusichiamo. First Language, Life-Soundtracks and Storytelling to Support the Cultural Wellbeing of Migrants Living with Dementia

ABSTRACT This study, located at the intersection of anthropology, ageing, music therapy and dementia, explores the value of music, life-storytelling and first language, to support the cultural identity and wellbeing of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living with dementia in Australia. It uses participant observation, the collection of oral histories and ‘life soundtracks’ to co-create a song with older Italian migrants and their families. This paper presents the first case study which informed the development of the music engagement program we call Comusichiamo (let’s make music together). The case study shows that the co-creation of a culturally tailored song, composed and sung in first language, can enhance physical and social engagement, and contribute to the general wellbeing of participants living with dementia, and their carers. Central to the program is the sharing of life history, comprising autobiographic memory, the use of ipsissima verba, the precise words participants employ repeatedly, and ipsissima fabula, the particularistic stories participants narrate frequently. This music engagement program supports a relationship-centred approach to dementia care, drawing on narrative theory and anthropological notions of personhood, and Benenzon’s notion of ‘sound identity’, to support cultural safety, protect personhood, and guard against ‘social death’.

What happens when tourism is turned off: Exploring the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions for Indigenous people in Rarotonga, The Cook Islands

The sea, sand, and sun allure of the Cook Islands has seen tourism become the most significant driver of the country's economic development. However, the increasing reliance on the tourism sector since the 1980's has created a mono-economy at the expense of diversification and alternative economic models. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the risks and consequences associated with an over- reliance on international tourism as the lockdown measures and international travel restrictions caused the sudden shutdown of international tourism, resulting in serious negative economic consequences for tourism-dependent communities. However, the pandemic also offered an opportunity for small island societies to reflect on pre-existing challenges associated with the tourism industry. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with Indigenous Cook Islanders in Rarotonga, this study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of how the lived experiences of participants responding to the sudden collapse of tourism may have influenced how Indigenous Cook Islands peoples perceive the role of tourism in supporting the wellbeing of their small island nation. The presented study is the result of a collaborative research partnership between an Indigenous Pacific scholar and non-Indigenous European scholar. While the research adopted a western methodology, the relationships developed between the researchers and participants were guided by the cultural values of reciprocity and respect, which are key principles underpinning Indigenous research in the Pacific. The findings revealed that participants adapted to the adverse impacts of COVID-19 through the revitalization of their traditional socio-economies, the resurgence of customary practices, a strengthened connection to nature, and a renewed sense of community spirit and pride in cultural identity—all of which were perceived to positively impact their spiritual, social, cultural, environmental, physical, and mental wellbeing. By demonstrating the positive adaptive responses of participants, this article aims to emphasize the non-economic dimensions of wellbeing that are critical to supporting the cultural values, social priorities, and the Indigenous ways of life that preceded the development of tourism. These findings can be used to inform and guide international development policy makers and tourism stakeholders who seek to reduce the adverse impacts of tourism on the wellbeing of Indigenous communities in the Pacific.

Promoting Indigenous Culture Using AI Algorithms on Social Media: Effective Strategies for Improving Mental Health among Canadian Youths

This study explores the intersection of culture, technology, and mental health in the digital age, focusing on the impact of promoting Indigenous culture on social media to support Canadian youths' psychological well-being. Recognizing the historical marginalization of Indigenous narratives, it investigates how AI algorithms integrated into social media platforms enhance the dissemination and engagement of cultural content. A controlled experiment was conducted where two groups of youths engaged with either a traditional or AI-powered platform promoting Indigenous culture. Over five days, their mental health and cultural engagement were assessed. Results revealed that the AI-powered platform significantly improved participants' cultural identity, sense of belonging, and mental health compared to the traditional platform. These findings suggest that AI technology can play a transformative role in delivering culturally relevant content, offering a promising approach to addressing mental health disparities in Indigenous communities and beyond. The study contributes to understanding how AI can enhance digital cultural promotion and support mental well-being.

Melodies of empowerment: exploring the impact of Taylor Swift’s music on lifelong learning in Thailand

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how Taylor Swift’s music influences language acquisition, gender representation, emotional well-being and cultural awareness among Thai university students within the context of lifelong learning. By exploring these dimensions, the study aims to uncover the transformative potential of integrating popular culture, particularly music, into lifelong learning frameworks, thereby offering insights into the role of music in fostering continuous education, cultural sensitivity and personal growth.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to explore the impact of Taylor Swift’s music on language acquisition, gender representation, emotional well-being and cultural awareness within the context of lifelong learning. Around 32 university students from six prominent universities in Thailand participated in the study. Thematic analysis was used to identify and interpret the recurring themes related to how Taylor Swift’s music influences these aspects of lifelong learning, providing an in-depth understanding of her music’s role in educational and personal development.FindingsThe study found that Taylor Swift’s music significantly impacts language acquisition by providing an immersive and engaging learning environment. Her music also challenges traditional gender norms, promoting self-expression and empowerment. Additionally, the emotional resonance of her songs contributes to students' emotional well-being, offering solace and encouragement. Furthermore, her advocacy for diversity and inclusivity enhances cultural awareness, fostering empathy and cross-cultural understanding. Overall, Taylor Swift’s music serves as a powerful tool for promoting lifelong learning, cultural awareness and emotional resilience among university students.Research limitations/implicationsThis study primarily focused on Thai university students, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other cultural contexts. Future research could explore the impact of Taylor Swift’s music on a broader demographic, including different age groups and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, a longitudinal approach could provide deeper insights into how sustained engagement with music influences lifelong learning and personal development over time. The findings underscore the need for further exploration of popular culture’s role in education and its potential to enhance learning outcomes across diverse contexts.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that integrating popular music, like Taylor Swift’s, into educational curricula can enhance language learning, promote cultural awareness and support emotional well-being. Educators are encouraged to incorporate music-based activities into their teaching strategies to create a more engaging and relatable learning environment. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of using music as a tool for challenging traditional gender norms and fostering inclusivity, suggesting that educational programs should leverage popular culture to promote social empowerment and personal growth among students.Social implicationsThe study demonstrates that Taylor Swift’s music plays a significant role in promoting social empowerment, gender equality and cultural sensitivity among university students. By challenging traditional norms and advocating for inclusivity, her music encourages listeners to embrace diversity and engage in lifelong learning. The findings suggest that popular culture, particularly music, can be a powerful force for social change, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society. This underscores the potential of music to contribute to broader social objectives, including gender equality, cultural awareness and emotional resilience.Originality/valueThis study is unique in its comprehensive examination of Taylor Swift’s music as a tool for lifelong learning among university students in Thailand. While previous research has explored music’s role in language acquisition or emotional well-being, this study integrates multiple dimensions – language learning, gender representation, emotional well-being and cultural awareness – within the context of lifelong learning. By focusing on a global pop icon’s influence in a non-Western setting, the research provides valuable insights into the transformative potential of popular culture in education, offering educators innovative strategies to engage students through music.

Qarasiña Culinary Tradition: Conserving Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Jach’a Puni (Andean Community), Bolivia

Heritage encompasses features integral to the culture of a particular society, such as traditional foods that have historical significance and continue to be part of the community’s identity. These culinary traditions must be preserved to sustain cultural identity and community well-being. This study aims to document the role of qarasiña, along with other ancestral foods, in establishing quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) as a cultural keystone species in the Jach’a Puni community. Primary data were gathered through in-depth interviews with local experts and community observations, supplemented by a comprehensive literature review. Findings reveal that in Jach’a Puni, all food is considered sacred. Three main types of qarasiña are identified: jupha qarasiña, ajara qarasiña, and kita qarasiña. The primary ingredients are domesticated quinoa (jupha) flour (Chenopodium quinoa var. quinoa) and wild quinoa (ajara) flour (Chenopodium quinoa var. melanospermum and C. hircinum). Qarasiña is integral to community banquets and social events. Although quinoa is celebrated globally as the “golden grain”, there is a risk that qarasiña may disappear and quinoa could be replaced by wheat or maize, threatening its status as a cornerstone species in the Bolivian Altiplano.

Holistic Education and Pedagogy from the Inuit Worldview

This article delves into the intricate fabric of Inuit holistic pedagogical practice, balancing the narrative and the historical dominance of Western colonial education frameworks within Inuit Nunangat. For decades, Inuit knowledge and learning methodologies have been marginalized, leading to a disconnect between education and the cultural fabric of the Inuit community. Recognizing the urgent need for revitalization and elevation of Inuit pedagogical models, this paper draws upon the invaluable insights of Elders, existing research, and narratives from two Inuit learners actively engaged in the Nunavut Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research. The study intertwines the wisdom of Elders, scholarly literature, and the lived experiences of Inuit learners to articulate learning models and specific components that are key in practice, such as experiential learning and relationship-building. By synthesizing diverse perspectives, the article offers an emerging multi-faceted understanding of Inuit pedagogical practice, highlighting its intrinsic connection to cultural identity, community well-being, and lifelong learning. Through the narratives of Inuit learners, the paper provides tangible examples of the transformative power of Inuit pedagogy in action, emphasizing the positive impact on individual empowerment and community resilience. By amplifying the voices of Elders and learners, this article contributes to the ongoing discourse on culturally responsive education and underscores the significance of reclaiming and reinstating Inuit holistic pedagogy as a cornerstone for education in the region.

A Semantic Knowledge Graph of European Mountain Value Chains

The United Nations forecast a significant shift in global population distribution by 2050, with rural populations projected to decline. This decline will particularly challenge mountain areas’ cultural heritage, well-being, and economic sustainability. Understanding the economic, environmental, and societal effects of rural population decline is particularly important in Europe, where mountainous regions are vital for supplying goods. The present paper describes a geospatially explicit semantic knowledge graph containing information on 454 European mountain value chains. It is the first large-size, structured collection of information on mountain value chains. Our graph, structured through ontology-based semantic modelling, offers representations of the value chains in the form of narratives. The graph was constructed semi-automatically from unstructured data provided by mountain-area expert scholars. It is accessible through a public repository and explorable through interactive Story Maps and a semantic Web service. Through semantic queries, we demonstrate that the graph allows for exploring territorial complexities and discovering new knowledge on mountain areas’ environmental, societal, territory, and economic aspects that could help stem depopulation.

Borders: Exclude or Relate?

Executive Summary US political discourse characterizes the US-Mexico border as a site of threat and, of necessity, exclusion. This frame ignores the importance of borders to economies, families, and culture in our increasingly interconnected world. Moreover, it leads to policies that place people at risk of victimization and death. In conceiving of the border solely in terms of exclusion, nations forego the opportunity to strengthen relationships across borders. This paper argues that the politics of humane migration require a vision of borders as sites of encounter, engagement, and relationship, rather than solely exclusion. This reconceptualization of the US-Mexico border, in particular, would strengthen relationships across borders, and prioritize cooperation between Latin America/the Caribbean and the United States, starting with regulated legal flows. It would also respond to the shared contexts of migration, including contraband in arms and drugs, criminal violence, and climate change. It articulates an alternative vision of borders as a “commons” in which mutual needs can be addressed (a commons is an issue or resource in which every one has access and involvement). Migration itself provides a perfect example of such a need. It takes place in a political climate partially but powerfully shaped by racism and classism. Thus, it has become a polarized “issue” that appears insolvable. In fact, it may not be a problem at all. Rather, in our current demographic-economic situation, as well as for our cultural well-being, migration should be treated as an asset. Insofar as it needs to be addressed, this paper delineates many possibilities. The options are not perfect and magical — the challenges are hard and diverse — but they an advance a vision of a shared cross-border space on migration. That might be a crucial move, not only for migration, but along a path that recognizes relationships and commitments of many kinds across the hemisphere and world. Recognition is not enough; real change in resources and power needs to follow. But a vision of connection rather than exclusion provides the political starting point needed for change to happen. In every political instance in which borders are used to frame migration in terms of who, how, and how much to exclude, connectedness loses ground. A politics of humane migration can only emerge if rooted in a positive vision of borders as sites of engagement and encounter.

Integrating AI enhanced remote sensing technologies with IOT networks for precision environmental monitoring and predicative ecosystem management

Detection of hazardous substances in the environment is paramount in safeguarding human health and ecosystems. With the continuous advancement of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool in the development of sensors capable of efficiently detecting and analyzing these substances. Environmental monitoring, modeling, and management are very essential for gaining a deeper insight into the fundamental processes and methodologies employed in handling environmental transformations. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate recent progress in the utilization of AI, sensors, and IoT devices for monitoring environmental pollution, while considering the challenges associated with predicting and monitoring these variations due to the dynamic nature of the environment. The integration of these systems is actively revolutionizing environmental monitoring and enhancing our understanding of how to implement a comprehensive approach to the management of natural resources and ecological processes that are crucial for our societal, economic, and cultural well-being. Consequently, we are able to uncover the transformative impact of this collaborative effort on our comprehension of Earth, as it tackles obstacles, conducts in-depth analysis of long-term environmental data monitoring, and lays the foundation for a promising future.

Cultural Appropriateness, Arts-based Care and Well-Being in Sensitive Research

Cultural Appropriateness, Arts-based Care and Well-Being in Sensitive Research

Does arts and cultural group participation influence subsequent well-being? A longitudinal cross-country comparison of older adults in Japan and England

IntroductionArts engagement is a positive health behaviour that could support the mental and social well-being of ageing populations globally. However, research is predominantly from Western countries, leaving it unclear whether...

A qualitative evaluation of rural and provincial surgery wānanga to enhance cultural safety among surgical registrars in Taranaki, New Zealand.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) recently instituted cultural safety and cultural competency as its 10th competency with formalized cultural safety training yet to be instituted. Wānanga are Indigenous Māori teaching institutions that can be used contemporarily for cultural safety training. In 2022, surgical registrars based at Taranaki Base Hospital (TBH) held in-hospital wānanga ranging from 1 to 3 h focussed on cultural safety, professionalism and wellbeing. This study explores the perspectives of these registrars who attended wānanga using a Kaupapa Māori aligned methodological stance and interpretive phenomenological analysis. Twenty-six wānanga were held from March 22nd 2022 to January 30th 2023. Six registrars provided their perspectives with four major themes emerging from their stories including: cultural safety; unity; time, place and person; and a new era. Registrars valued the wānanga which was scheduled for Friday afternoons after daily clinical duties. Wānanga facilitated unity and understanding with registrars being able to reflect on the context within which they are practicing - describing it as a new era of surgical training. 'Time' was the biggest barrier to attend wānanga however, the number of wānanga held was testament to the commitment of the registrars. Regular wānanga set up by, and for, surgical registrars cultural safety development is feasible and well subscribed in a rural or provincial NZ setting. We present one coalface method of regular cultural safety training and development for surgical registrars and trainees in NZ.

(En)tangling anger and equity dreams: RECE promises and pantomimes

This response to the question about what we are angry about and what we dream of for young children reflects our work of over 30 years in Australasia. For Kylie in Australia and for Sonja in Aotearoa New Zealand and now also Australia. We direct the RECE common call, for an elevation of children’s rights, to a voice, to a ‘good’ education, and to a ‘good’ life, to the children, families, teachers, educators and communities with whom we live and work. As two RECE scholars, teachers of young children and of their teachers, and as researchers who are concerned with social justice and equity, we focus specifically on what good might mean in relation to education, life and community, through the lens of the current state of early childhood education in Australasia, now and in the future. We highlight some of the critical concerns with the current state of the sector, arguing that there is much to be fighting for, much, as the call for this special edition asks, to be angry about – still. With a specific focus on the crucial connections between early childhood education and teachers’ understandings and experiences of their own gendered and cultural wellbeing, we draw on our prior and current research to urge an ongoing questioning as we and the sector traverse these precarious areas that undoubtedly affect the inclusiveness and ‘goodness’ of teachers’ and children’s lives and learning.

Critical socio-emotional inquiry: A longitudinal oral history project led by middle school students on socio-emotional well-being

A group of middle school students, working with educators in Washington Heights, NYC, designed a school-wide oral history project as a strategy to enrich the cultural and socio-emotional well-being of our school. As part of New York State’s required SEL intervention, we developed a Longitudinal Oral History Project, led by middle school students at S2, where we gathered peer-to-peer narratives about socio-emotional dynamics from middle schoolers growing up in working-class and immigrant households in times of pandemic and racial uprisings. The oral history protocol, the implementation of the interviews, the analysis, and the presentation of our results were youth-led, and compelling. Narrating rich and complex stories of joy, fear, courage, and care, our project centers the expertise of immigrant students of color, coming out of COVID-19 in the throes of early adolescence. The youth found great relief in discovering that their fears and anxieties were widespread and experienced a sense of power by influencing school policy with the compelling results of their inquiry.

Emergent Well-Being: A Qualitative Study on Cultural Identity and Belonging of Emigrated Hong Kongers Post-2019

This study examined the cultural identity and well-being of emigrated Hong Kongers amid sociopolitical changes post-2019. Utilizing constructivist grounded theory and art-based research, it involved four Hong Kongers who recently emigrated to the United Kingdom. A custom method called object-interview-object explored narratives through participants’ personal objects, complemented by the researcher’s self-reflexive papermaking. Findings revealed a dynamic interplay between memory, belonging, and well-being, highlighting the heterogeneity of cultural identity and the prevalence of ambivalence and non-belonging. The study proposes “Emergent Well-being” as a theory that centers emigrants’ perspectives in understanding their well-being within a collective and systemic context. It also underscores the necessity for art therapists to engage in approaches that respect the evolving identities of emigrants for effective and ethical support.

Cultural stress among immigrants in the workforce.

Previous research has investigated cultural stress and well-being among individuals such as Hispanic college students and immigrants from other countries. However, there is a need to explore the impact of cultural stress among immigrants with a focus on the workforce. Drawing from cultural stress theory, we present a theoretical framework that considers workplace context while exploring strategies that may mitigate the impact of cultural stress in the workplace, such as promoting diversity and inclusion, addressing biases and discrimination, and supporting employee mental health. We provide actionable steps that can guide leaders to work toward a workplace where individuals develop a sense of belonging. This article provides a novel perspective on workplace diversity and inclusion that emphasizes the importance of considering cultural context in understanding and addressing workplace stress, with implications for psychology in the workplace. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Conceptualizing Australian First Nations Fashion, Art and Style

Decolonial scholars call for fashion definitions and perspectives from all cultures, and this article responds to these requests. Numerous theories and positions have inspired and shaped this conceptual model, including valuable insight from First Nations scholars who have explored fashion theories that integrate First Nations philosophies and ontologies. This First Nations fashion, art and style conceptual model explores the practice and outlines the themes of Culture, Expression, and Self-determination. First Nations fashion, art and style, as a term, acknowledges the holistic practice and industry, which includes fashion design, style, and the intersection of art via textiles and garments. The Cultural element within the model explores the continuation of cultural practice through design and dress and how it can contribute to cultural well-being. The Expression element describes contemporary cultural and intersectional identity forms through traditional and modern garments. The Self-determination component explores the autonomy of First Nations fashion practices and how First Nations people self-determine their fashion brands via cultural, financial, and environmental sustainability. This article concludes with recommendations for further theoretical and empirical research on First Nations fashion, art and style.

Genomic characterization and virulence gene profiling of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolated from widespread muskox mortalities in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

BackgroundMuskoxen are important ecosystem components and provide food, economic opportunities, and cultural well-being for Indigenous communities in the Canadian Arctic. Between 2010 and 2021, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from carcasses of muskoxen, caribou, a seal, and an Arctic fox during multiple large scale mortality events in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. A single strain (‘Arctic clone’) of E. rhusiopathiae was associated with the mortalities on Banks, Victoria and Prince Patrick Islands, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada (2010–2017). The objectives of this study were to (i) characterize the genomes of E. rhusiopathiae isolates obtained from more recent muskox mortalities in the Canadian Arctic in 2019 and 2021; (ii) identify and compare common virulence traits associated with the core genome and mobile genetic elements (i.e. pathogenicity islands and prophages) among Arctic clone versus other E. rhusiopathiae genomes; and iii) use pan-genome wide association studies (GWAS) to determine unique genetic contents of the Arctic clone that may encode virulence traits and that could be used for diagnostic purposes.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses revealed that the newly sequenced E. rhusiopathiae isolates from Ellesmere Island, Nunavut (2021) also belong to the Arctic clone. Of 17 virulence genes analysed among 28 Arctic clone isolates, four genes – adhesin, rhusiopathiae surface protein-A (rspA), choline binding protein-B (cbpB) and CDP-glycerol glycerophosphotransferase (tagF) – had amino acid sequence variants unique to this clone when compared to 31 other E. rhusiopathiae genomes. These genes encode proteins that facilitate E. rhusiopathiae to attach to the host endothelial cells and form biofilms. GWAS analyses using Scoary found several unique genes to be overrepresented in the Arctic clone.ConclusionsThe Arctic clone of E. rhusiopathiae was associated with multiple muskox mortalities spanning over a decade and multiple Arctic islands with distances over 1000 km, highlighting the extent of its spatiotemporal spread. This clone possesses unique gene content, as well as amino acid variants in multiple virulence genes that are distinct from the other closely related E. rhusiopathiae isolates. This study establishes an essential foundation on which to investigate whether these differences are correlated with the apparent virulence of this specific clone through in vitro and in vivo studies.

Evaluation of the Cultural, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program with Aboriginal women in the Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women: a mixed methods study.

To assess the effectiveness of the Cultural, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program for reducing psychological distress and enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal women preparing for release from prison. Mixed methods; qualitative study (adapted reflexive thematic analysis of stories of most significant change) and assessment of psychological distress. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at the Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women, Perth, Western Australia, May and July 2021. Cultural, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program (two days per week for six weeks). The Program involves presentations, workshops, activities, group discussions, and self-reflections designed to enhance social and emotional wellbeing. Themes and subthemes identified from reflexive thematic analysis of participants' stories of most significant change; change in mean psychological distress, as assessed with the 5-item Kessler Scale (K-5) before and after the Program. Fourteen of 16 invited women completed the Program; ten participated in its evaluation. They reported improved social and emotional wellbeing, reflected as enhanced connections to culture, family, and community. Mean psychological distress was lower after the Program (mean K-5 score, 11.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.0-13.6) than before the Program (9.0; 95% CI, 6.5-11.5; P=0.047). The women who participated in the Program reported personal growth, including acceptance of self and acceptance and pride in culture, reflecting enhanced social and emotional wellbeing through connections to culture and kinship. Our preliminary findings suggest that the Program could improve the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in contact with the justice system.