Native Research Articles

Paramedicine research with family and bystanders: A methodological review

The evolving nature of paramedic care has resulted in a growing body of evidence considering service user experience, including the experiences of patients, family members and bystanders. As new areas of research enquiry emerge in paramedicine, it is important to review the methods, methodologies, and quality of evidence in these topic areas. A methodological review was conducted of peer-reviewed empirical studies reporting on family and bystander experiences where emergency ambulance services responded. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe select study characteristics. Study quality was appraised using the Johanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Qualitative Research and the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Service user engagement was evaluated using a newly adapted tool, the Service User Engagement Ladder. After searching five databases, 37 studies of varying research designs were included in this review. While overall study quality was high, there was a notable absence of theoretical discussion, particularly regarding qualitative methodologies. In assessing service user engagement, family and bystanders had very low levels of engagement in the research process. Only one study in this review utilised methods where co-construction of research occurred. Current research is dominated by Western study locations and biomedical paradigms that privilege Westernised populations and ways of considering experience, ignoring the preferences and experiences of Indigenous people and people from minoritised ethnic groups. To further develop paramedicine research involving family and bystanders, transparent reporting around the theoretical underpinnings of research must be strengthened. There is a significant opportunity to increase service user engagement in the research process. Greater attention to cultural and ethnic diversity is needed in researching family and bystander experiences.

Moral Transformation as Shifting (Im)Possibilities

AbstractThe phenomenon of moral transformation, though important, has received little attention in virtue ethics. In this paper we propose a virtue-ethical model of moral transformation as character transformation by tracking the development of new identity-defining (‘core’) character traits, their expressions, and their priority structure, through the change in what appears as possible or impossible to the moral agent. We propose that character transformation culminates when what previously appeared as morally possible to the agent now appears impossible, i.e. unconceived and unthinkable, moving through stages of transformation where some possibilities gradually disappear while others open up. While we show an example of moral transformation towards virtue, we allow that such transformation can occur in the opposite direction, hence we make claims about ‘character traits’ rather than virtues of vices. Through the example of former slave-trader Rodrigo’s transformation in the film The Mission, we follow the parallel development of new objects of value and ways of valuing (with respect to a group of indigenous people of South America) with the closing down of the possibility of disrespecting and harming them, to the end-point of transformation, where allowing their capture is for Rodrigo both unconceived and, when conceived, unthinkable.

Co-Producing an Ethnobotanical Garden to Support the Conservation of Indigenous Crop Diversity

Botanical gardens play a crucial role in documenting and sustaining traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) that were integral to the lives of Indigenous peoples. TEK has gained significant attention in discussions on sustainable development. Faced with threats to the maintenance and transfer of this knowledge, alternative approaches like community-based ethnobotanical gardens are emerging as effective tools for conservation. This paper details a research partnership that focused on storing and sharing the Bunun ethnic community’s TEK to conserve and promote plant and crop diversity. This collaboration further led to the co-development of an Indigenous ecological calendar detailing knowledge about crops, specifically beans. The ecological calendar emerged as an effective tool for supporting knowledge sharing, facilitating the communication of crop knowledge along with both common and scientific names. The Indigenous ecological calendar has also become a valuable tourism resource for guided tours, helping to build recognition of Indigenous knowledge, and making it accessible to future generations.

Promoting healthy school food environments and nutrition in Canada: a systematic review of interventions, policies, and programs.

The school food environment is a critical interface for child and adolescent nutrition, and there is a need to understand existing literature on Canadian school food environments to identify equity gaps and opportunities, and empower decision-makers to plan for future action. Literature on Canadian school food and nutrition interventions, policies, programs, and their effects on diets and nutritional status are synthesized and appraised in this systematic review. A search strategy was developed for each database used (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC, Cochrane Collaboration, Canadian Electronic Library, BiblioMap), with a combination of free text and controlled vocabulary, for articles published from 1990 to 2021. Unpublished data and grey literature were also searched. Quantitative and qualitative studies with an observational or intervention study design, reviews, or program evaluations conducted in Canadian schools with participants aged 5-19.9 years were included. Key study characteristics and risk of bias were extracted independently by 2 investigators using a standardized tool. A total of 298 articles were included (n = 192 peer reviewed and 106 from the grey literature), which were mostly conducted in Ontario (n = 52), British Columbia (n = 43), and Nova Scotia (n = 28). Twenty-four interventions, 5 nonevaluated programs, and 1 policy involved Indigenous populations. Overall, 86 articles measured and reported on effectiveness outcomes, including dietary intake; anthropometry; knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and physical activity. The literature remains largely heterogenous and primarily focused on nutrition education programs that use subjective assessments to infer changes in nutrition. A key facilitator to implementation and sustainability was community engagement, whereas key barriers were staff capacity, access to resources and funding, and consistent leadership. This review provides insight into Canadian school food and nutrition interventions, programs, and policies and uncovers important evidence gaps that require careful examination for future evaluations. Governments must create supportive environments that optimize nutrition for children and adolescents through equitable policies and programs. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022303255.

An Evaluation of Long-Term Contaminated Soil from a Manufactured Gas Plant for in Situ Biodegradation Potential and as a Source of Ferrocyanide-Degrading Bacteria

Despite the high abundance and potential toxicity of ferrocyanide in the environment, data on the bioremediation of these complexes in contaminated soils are missing. In this study we isolated forty bacterial species presented in soil highly contaminated with ferrocyanide complexes, originating from a Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP). All bacterial strains were resistant to ferrocyanide (500 mg L−1). Six isolates showed better growth in the presence of ferrocyanide and were able to use it as a sole nitrogen source. One of them was able to assimilate ferrocyanide‐derived nitrogen and carbon. The strains varied in their tolerance to the ferrocyanide. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values determined in the rich medium ranged from 1400 mg L−1 to 2000 mg L−1 and in all cases were greater than those set on the minimal medium. Molecular analysis revealed that the investigated isolates had the highest similarity to the Bacillus and Rummeliibacillus lineages. Rummeliibacillus was recognized for the first time for its ferrocyanide-degrading potential. Soil samples collected from MGP sites indicated that the overall indigenous population of microorganisms was low. Total cyanide content ranged from 220 mg kg−1 to 346 mg kg−1. Additionally, elevated Pb concentrations and an imbalanced C:N:P ratio were observed. Our study provides new information about the presence of a well-acclimated bacterial community associated with long-term ferrocyanide-contaminated soil. This bacterial community could play an important role in MGP site bioremediation processes and has the potential for application for other bioremediation purposes; however, it is likely limited due to unfavorable environmental conditions.

Role of NGOs in Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Under ILO

The indigenous and people suffer serious abuses of their human rights throughout the world. They experience heavy pressure on their lands from being logged, mining, roads, conservation, construction of dams, agribusiness etc. Many countries have worked towards protecting their rights and preventing its abuse. The laws meant for protecting their human rights are often violated and sometimes they are found to be inadequate to prevent the abuse of rights of tribes. Many countries laws are inconsistent with the international human rights law too. The International Labour Organization has developed agreements and mechanisms to address the core problems of these people. These agreements are binding on the states which ratify them. The issues of tribes and indigenous people addressed by the ILO have resulted in jurisprudence recognizing their rights. This also include the rights of indigenous and tribes on par with protection of their lands, territories, resources traditionally occupied and right to a healthy environment; protection of cultural sites of religious significance; protection of cultural and physical integrity; participation in decisions that affect them and use their own cultural, social and political institutions; to be free from discrimination and to equal protection of the law. In implementing any of such laws for protection of human rights of indigenous and tribal people the international institutions like ILO and United Nation rely on the information given by NGOs and groups. They work for protecting of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. This paper analyses the role of ILO in protecting the rights of indigenous and tribes. It summarizes the role of NGOs in international standard setting which is a prerequisite for protecting the rights of indigenous and tribes.

Legacy of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty 1824

The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 is a pivotal historical milestone, delineating territorial boundaries and shaping the trajectories of British and Dutch colonial empires in Southeast Asia. Beyond its geopolitical implications, this treaty exerted profound and enduring social effects on the indigenous populations of Indonesia and Malaysia. This article endeavors to elucidate the nuanced social consequences of the treaty, emphasizing its role in molding the fabric of societal life and legal frameworks in these two nations. Through a comprehensive analysis of the treaty's stipulations, subsequent legal evolutions, and their ramifications on local communities, this study aims to unravel the intricate tapestry of influence that emanated from colonial decisions. Specifically, we delve into how the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 was pivotal in shaping the formation and development of social structures and legal systems in Indonesia and Malaysia. By scrutinizing the long-term effects on indigenous societies, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the enduring impact of colonial legacies on the contemporary legal landscape of these nations. This article offers valuable insights into the lasting repercussions of a historical agreement that extended beyond mere territorial delineation. By exploring the intricate interplay between the treaty's provisions and the subsequent socio-legal developments, we gain a nuanced understanding of the enduring ramifications of colonial decisions on the present-day legal frameworks in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Climate Resilience, Vulnerability, Differential Impacts and Adaptive Capacity in Nigeria

This research investigates and promotes climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, which are disproportionately affected by climate change. How climate change worsens existing problems such as food insecurity, poverty, and conflict in Nigeria serve as the rationale to this study. Hence, defining climate resilience, reviewing relevant literature, and conducting a case study to generate evidence-based recommendations give insight into the objectives of this study. Therefore, reviewed literature shows the diverse impacts of climate change on disadvantaged groups, such as small-scale farmers and urban coastal dwellers. Vulnerability assessments highlight the need for adaptive capacity, integrating local knowledge in solutions. Case studies illustrate vulnerabilities in poor urban coastal areas, rural regions, and the Niger Delta. Differential impacts are examined, such as the gendered effects of climate change on women and the challenges faced by indigenous communities and urban slums. Adaptive capacity is discussed, stressing social capital, collective action, and the interrelation of adaptation, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability. Adaptive capacity assessment in Nigeria indicates difficulties in rural farming households and urban coastal communities, requiring enhanced capacities. Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in adaptive measures, fostering resilience. Resilience enhancement strategies emphasize social justice, inclusive governance, and community-based adaptation, acknowledging the significance of local empowerment and participation. Technology and innovation provide possibilities but need context-specific methods. These strategies can help build climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, offering a basis for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to tackle the complex challenges of climate change.

A romance in (and with) the Amazon: constructing nature and Indigenous masculinities in Napo, Ecuador

ABSTRACT The Ecuadorian Amazon attracts thousands of Western tourists yearly with promises of access to pristine rainforests and traditional Indigenous cultures. Visiting the Amazon is also billed as an opportunity to achieve spiritual transcendence by shedding the burdens of modern life and (re)connecting with a timeless essence that Westerners are presumed to have lost. In contrast, this essence and the Edenic landscapes connected to it are often imagined as integral to Indigenous cultures. While scholars have convincingly argued that these ecoprimitivist ideas reflect Western anxieties regarding the alienating forces of modernity, insufficient attention has been paid to the diverse ways in which Western visitors convert these ideas into embodied practice. Specifically, I analyze how ecoprimitivist ideas about Amazonia shaped the experiences of Western women who established intimate relationships with Indigenous Kichwa men in Napo, Ecuador.

Dewatering the Xingu River: hydrological alterations and biocultural connections among the Arara Indigenous People in the Volta Grande region, Brazilian Amazon

Dewatering the Xingu River: hydrological alterations and biocultural connections among the Arara Indigenous People in the Volta Grande region, Brazilian Amazon

The global relevance of locally grounded ethnobiology.

While ethnobiology is a discipline that focuses on the local, it has an outstanding, but not yet fully realized potential to address global issues. Part of this unrealized potential is that universalistic approaches often do not fully recognize culturally grounded perspectives and there are multiple challenges with scaling up place-based research. However, scalability is paramount to ensure that the intimate and context-specific diversity of human-environmental relationships and understandings are recognized in global-scale planning and policy development. Here, we identify four pathways to enable the scalability of place-based ethnobiological research from the ground up: local-to-global dialogues, aggregation of published data, multi-sited studies, and geospatial analyses. We also discuss some major challenges and consideration to encourage continuous reflexivity in these endeavours and to ensure that scalability does not contribute to unnecessarily decontextualizing, co-opting, or overwriting the epistemologies of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. As ethnobiology navigates multiple scales of time and space and seeks to increase its breadth, this study shows that the use of deliberately global approaches, when carefully nested within rich field-based and ecological and ethnographically grounded data, can contribute to: (1) upscaling case-specific insights to unveil global patterns and dynamics in the biocultural contexts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities; (2) bringing ethnobiological knowledge into resolutions that can influence global environmental research and policy agendas; and (3) enriching ethnobiology's field-based ethos with a deliberate global analytical focus.

Using Genshin Impact as an Example, Examining How Local Cultural Embedding Can Enhance the Player's Gaming Experience

This research examines how the Genshin game developers organically incorporate culture into their games and improve player experience. Using quantitative methods, researchers analyzed 3 interviews with Genshin users to explore their attitudes and feelings towards the integration of Chinese cultural characteristics into the games. Through this game, many Chinese players have developed a sense of cultural pride, and the developers are very good at the details of the game. This game also spreads Chinese culture to the world. In many foreign websites, such as YouTube, Twitter can see a lot of foreign players comments and suggestions to these games. Also, the age coverage of this game is very wide too. From middle-aged people to high school students, all show a strong interest in this game. Researchers intend to study what kind of indigenous Chinese culture is embedded in this game and to understand how indigenous Chinese culture is organically embedded in the game by comparing game screenshots with real-life photos. Next, it is also necessary to check what kind of attitude players hold towards the embedding of Chinese indigenous culture appearing in Genshin Impact on social media platforms and select a few players to interview. Based on the former, it is important to find out how the embedding of Chinese indigenous culture in the game attracts players and improves their gaming experience. Finally, it will be generalized to the general game development, how a game can attract more players to play and improve the player experience through the organic integration of indigenous culture.

Arctic indigenous representation in national parliaments

ABSTRACT National parliaments in democracies are key arenas for political deliberation, national agenda setting, and public negotiation of interests. In addition – of course – they legislate and control the government. Accordingly, the ways that the interests of Indigenous people in the Arctic are represented in national parliaments are important for their current and future autonomy from the nation-state. Setting from the concept of representation as defined by Pitkin (1967), this article reviews the scholarly literature on the national parliamentary representation of Indigenous peoples in the Arctic. Doing so, it takes a first, comparative look at this topic, discusses the formal, descriptive, and substantive representation of Indigenous peoples in the Arctic, and asks if there is a certain Arctic model of Indigenous national representation. The review shows that none of the Arctic Indigenous peoples are formally represented in their national parliament as a demos, and descriptive Indigenous representation is rather low (except in the case of the Danish parliament). Additionally, although similar formal and informal institutions seem to influence the substantive representation of Indigenous interests it is not fitting to talk of a particular Arctic model of Indigenous national representation.

Real time continuous glucose monitoring in high-risk people with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes: A randomised controlled trial.

To investigate the impact of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) on glycaemia in a predominantly indigenous (Māori) population of adults with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes (T2D) in New Zealand. Twelve-week, multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) of adults with T2D using ≥0.2 units/kg/day of insulin and elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥64 mmol/mol (8.0%). Following a 2-week blinded CGM run-in phase, participants were randomised to rtCGM or control (self-monitoring blood glucose [SMBG]). The primary outcome was time in the target glucose range (3.9-10 mmol/L; TIR) during weeks 10-12, with data collected by blinded rtCGM in the control group. Sixty-seven participants entered the RCT phase (54% Māori, 57% female), median age 53 (range 16-70 years), HbA1c 85 (IQR 74, 94) mmol/mol (9.9 [IQR 8.9, 10.8]%), body mass index (36.7 ± 7.7 kg/m2). Mean (±SD) TIR increased from 37 (24)% to 53 (24)% [Δ 13%; 95% CI 4.2 to 22; P = 0.007] in the rtCGM group but did not change in the SMBG group [45 (21)% to 45 (25)%, Δ 2.5%, 95% CI -6.1 to 11, P = 0.84]. Baseline-adjusted between-group difference in TIR was 10.4% [95% CI -0.9 to 21.7; P = 0.070]. Mean HbA1c (±SD) decreased in both groups from 85 (18) mmol/mol (10.0 [1.7]%) to 64 (16) mmol/mol (8.0 [1.4]%) in the rtCGM arm and from 81 (12) mmol/mol (9.6 [1.1]%) to 65 (13) mmol/mol (8.1 [1.2]%) in the SMBG arm (P < 0.001 for both). There were no severe hypoglycaemic or ketoacidosis events in either group. Real-time CGM use in a supportive treat-to-target model of care likely improves glycaemia in a population with insulin-treated T2D and elevated HbA1c.

Hopeful, but Worried for the Future: An Analysis of the Lived Consequences of Colonisation as Narrated by Older South Sámi in Norway

Various forms of colonisation and discrimination processes are unfortunately common to Indigenous Peoples worldwide. In this article, the focus is the lived consequences of colonisation in the Norwegian part of Sápmi (the Sámi traditional lands), where systematic state-imposed colonisation officially ended decades ago. Thus, based on a thematic analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews with 12 South Sámi aged 67–84, the aim was to examine how stories about hopes and worries for the future can shed light on how colonisation is experienced among older South Sámi today. The voices of these participants are important, as they can be considered triply muted, due to (a) ageism and (b) continued yet unconscious colonising practices against the Sámi in general and (c) against the South Sámi people in particular, a minority within the minority. Inspired by decolonising perspectives, this article reveals that older South Sámi are worried for the future, not only due to memories from the past but also their experiences with persisting colonial practices such as the ongoing enlargement of windmill parks and cabin areas in the midst of the winter pastures of the South Sámi reindeer herders. Hopefully, the time has come to finally put an end to colonial practices and take collective responsibility for creating a more just future for both coloniser and colonised. Similarly to the participants in this study, the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission also stresses issues such as loss of language, experience of racism, and reindeer husbandry being under pressure. This report may therefore be used as an important tool to ameliorate the conditions of the Sámi people if taken into consideration in the time to come.

Sociocultural risks of resource extraction for the low-carbon energy transition: Evidence from the Global South

The ongoing global transition to low-carbon energy relies on access to energy transition minerals (ETMs), bringing to life new mining projects. This shift is particularly impacting the Global South, due to high levels of interaction of mineral deposits with territories of Indigenous peoples and peasants, weak governance and remoteness. Focusing on the sustainability and justice of energy transitions, previous research has identified a range of environmental and social impacts of ETM mining across Global South countries. We argue that current research overlooks impacts of energy transition-related mining on tangible and intangible cultural heritage of land-connected people. This paper seeks to address this gap by examining the intersection of ETM mining and sociocultural practices in the Global South from spatial, governance and justice perspectives. Based on an extensive literature review, this article critically addresses key themes in the literature on the social aspects of energy transitions and uses cases from Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chile, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to demonstrate the immediate and long-term sociocultural impacts associated with ETM mining. It is important to foster an all-encompassing approach to planetary just energy transitions that places equal weight on ensuring cultural alongside environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Modalities of the Sacred in the Lumad Struggle for Sustainabilities and Futures

Indigenous peoples enact and cultivate local knowledge based on their own developed practices of resource use, which are entwined with their struggle for self-determination. This article seeks to demonstrate how these actions are configured in multiple ways, as in the case of the Lumad of Mindanao, who, like other indigenous groups worldwide, are engaged in the struggle for national liberation. An elaboration of the Lumad-Manobo’s notions of sacred spaces and myths is presented. This includes the production and reproduction of sustenance, resource use, and political mobilization. This article also seeks to trace the movements and modalities of value as an aspiration among displaced Lumad children and the more concrete forms of labor involved in producing these values in indigenous knowledge of sacred spaces.

Walking on the Wild Side: Indigeneity, Passion, and Nation in Guillermo Saccomanno’s La lengua del malón

Although the historical novel produced in Argentina after the fall of the last dictatorship has been characterized by the principle of inclusion, the representation of Indigenous peoples in the re-imagining of national narratives has contributed, ironically, to their marginalization. This article focuses on the ways La lengua del malón (2003) by Guillermo Saccomanno engages critically with national narratives from a peripheral position in order to escape the genre’s colonial limitations and proposes narrative strategies that allow the author not only to recognize the country’s Indigenous heritage, but also to acknowledge the continuous presence of Indigeneity in contemporary Argentinean culture.

The Participation of the Kaili Indigenous People and the Bugis Ethnicity in Preserving the Kupatan Ritual of the Java Ethnicity

This research aims to understand the process of the Kupatan ritual by the Java ethnicity and the participation forms of the Kaili indigenous people and Bugis ethnicity in the Kupatan ritual in Bahagia Village. This research uses an ethnographic analysis. Ethnographic analysis is an approach that begins with field facts, analyzes them based on cultural theories and relevant arguments to explore the cultural situation of the community, and ultimately yields a conclusion. The results show that the participation of the Kaili indigenous people and the Bugis ethnicity in the preservation of the Kupatan ritual by the Java ethnicity in Bahagia Village demonstrates impressive cultural collaboration, manifested through various processes from the opening, sermon and joint prayer, handshaking, to ngambeng or communal eating. This participation, which occurs in voluntary, spontaneous, and habitual forms, marks deep social and cultural integration among the three ethnic groups. Therefore, it is recommended that the Department of Education and Culture of Sigi Regency enhance support for documenting and promoting the Kupatan ritual as a cultural heritage that enriches local diversity. The residents of Bahagia Village are advised to continue maintaining and expanding participation in the Kupatan ritual, as part of an inclusive cultural preservation effort. The Java ethnicity, Kaili indigenous people, and Bugis ethnicity are encouraged to continue fostering inter-ethnic cooperation and dialogue in celebrating the Kupatan ritual by organizing joint activities to enhance understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures. It will strengthen inter-ethnic collaboration and harmony and ensure the sustainability of the Kupatan ritual as a symbol of unity and diversity in Bahagia Village.

Technology and communal culture of sharing and giving: implications on household savings behavior in Fiji

PurposeThis study examines how the introduction of mobile money transfers, while making it efficient and convenient to access funds, has affected rural households’ savings behavior and the banking sector.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes Fiji’s most recent agricultural census data to model the agricultural household’s saving decision. The study estimates an probit model to examine rural households' savings behavior. Furthermore, it utilizes time series secondary data to examine how funds transfer has been channeled to rural households in Fiji.FindingsFirstly, the results demonstrate that with the mobile money transfer platform launch, the banking sector has lost substantial money previously used to pass through its system, thus losing service fees and interest income. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that those using mobile wallet platforms to receive money are more likely not to have a savings account with the bank. Noting the cultural systems and social settings of the native households and the ease of payments via the mobile platform, they tend to spend more on consumption rather than saving, thus making these households more vulnerable during shocks such as natural disasters.Originality/valueWhile mobile money transfer is hailed as a revolution, no research has yet picked up the downside to it, that of undermining the very effort by policymakers to get low-income rural households to save. Secondly, this study also highlights how mobile money transfer deprives the banking system of a significant transfer fee income and a source of funds to pool and lend to earn interest income. Furthermore, this study brings to the forefront a dichotomy about how a rural indigenous community sees the welfare and prosperity of their community much differently than what economics textbooks portray.