Native Research Articles

First report of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis Beijing strain isolated from the indigenous population in Tunisia.

First report of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis Beijing strain isolated from the indigenous population in Tunisia.

Detailed analysis of air pollution in the Canadian prairie region: A step toward net-zero emission.

Industrial, agricultural, and natural pollution pose a critical problem for the Prairie provinces of Canada, with significant environmental and health concerns. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by assessing the cumulative impacts of pollutants in the Prairie region, which hosts 40% of the Canada's indigenous population, often living near these pollution sources. By innovatively integrating Sentinel-5P satellite data, Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, and Python, we show the trends in CO, NO₂, HCHO, SO₂, and aerosols from 2019 to 2023 at high resolution for the entire region, which sheds new light on the dynamics that operate beyond conventional air quality monitoring. Key findings are summer peaks for NO₂ and aerosols in southern Saskatchewan, related to agriculture, while winter peaks for CO and SO₂ in Alberta and Saskatchewan signal the need for renewable heating options. Alberta had the highest levels for most of the pollutants; however, CO concentrations were the highest in Manitoba. By integrating satellite data with ground-based measures, we also offer a more comprehensive and accurate analysis to pinpoint regional pollution issues, to help toward development of data-driven air quality strategies, and to enhance alignment of federal-provincial initiatives. These insights promote targeted interventions lowering exposure risk while encouraging practical sustainability in the Prairie region, and aid Canada in achieving its net-zero emission goal.

Malaria spillover in Indigenous Guyanese communities following a crackdown on illegal gold mining in Brazil.

Malaria spillover in Indigenous Guyanese communities following a crackdown on illegal gold mining in Brazil.

Categorization of Food Consumption Patterns in Indigenous Communities of the Quilotoa in Ecuador.

Preliminary evidence suggests that rural areas have poor nutritional indicators despite their self-sufficient local production. Thus, this study aimed to categorize the food consumption patterns of the rural Indigenous population next to the Quilotoa Lagoon in Ecuador based on the frequency of food intake. Data were obtained from 258 Indigenous farmers using structured and validated consumption frequency questionnaires. The consumption of 91 foods classified into eight groups was evaluated using concordance indicators, correlation analysis, and multivariate techniques such as principal component analysis and correspondence factor analysis. Consumption levels were categorized by stratifying the proportion of families that consumed each food item. Four consumption pattern types were identified. The category with "high consumption" foods, greater than 66.8%, was based on foods rich in carbohydrates, such as rice (89.3%), potatoes (88.9%), oats (74.1%), and morocho (74%). Protein intake was limited to eggs (82%) and fish (73.5%). Vegetables, such as carrots (90.4%) and onions (96.1%), were highly consumed but classified as condiments in meal preparation. Chicken (66.5%) and milk (61%) were categorized as "moderate consumption." Local foods such as melloco (37.1%) and oca (28.2%) were classified as "low consumption". Lastly, the most produced local food, chocho, had a consumption rate of 14.3%, which was considered "very low consumption". When analyzing consumption patterns by area, the Chugchilan parish with High Center or Quilotoa-Paved Road zones showed very good concordance (0.81 and 0.79, respectively), while the Subtropical zone had less concordance (0.73). Foods rich in high-calorie carbohydrates were the most commonly consumed across all four consumption patterns.

From Traditional Amazon Use to Food Applications: Tapirira guianensis Seed Extracts as a Triad of Antiproliferative Effect, Oxidative Defense, and Antimalarial Activity

Tapirira guianensis is a tropical plant found in South America and is widely used by indigenous communities owing to its medicinal properties. Its seeds are rich in phenolic compounds that are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Despite its traditional use, there are limited scientific data on the biological activities of its seed extracts, especially in the context of antimalarial and cytoprotective effects. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant potential, cytotoxic effects, and antimalarial properties of hydroethanolic, ethanolic, and aqueous seed extracts. A 1:1 (v/v) water/ethanol combination efficiently extracted bioactive compounds and delivered the highest phenolic compound content. Furthermore, the hydroethanolic extracts exhibited significant biological activities, including an ability to reduce cancer-cell viability, protect against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decrease chromosomal aberrations, while exhibiting high efficacy against both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. Hence, the use of T. guianensis seed extract as a natural source of bioactive compounds with cytoprotective, antiproliferative, antioxidant, and antimalarial properties is innovative and highlights the need for additional in vivo studies to better elucidate its mechanisms of action and safety.

Vaccine Knowledge and Acceptance Among Hadzabe Hunter-Gatherers in Tanzania.

Vaccines are highly successful in preventing disease, but misinformation has fueled vaccine hesitancy globally, thereby reducing immunization rates and weakening herd immunity. Vaccine knowledge and hesitancy among hunter-gatherers is a crucial area of research and intervention, as their mobile lifestyle exacerbates other challenges, such as marginalization and medical mistrust. In our exploratory study, we surveyed 91 Hadzabe adults across six camps (mean age = 39, 46% female) about their knowledge of vaccines and their safety and efficacy. Differences between sexes and camps were tested using Fisher's exact tests. Half of participants reported not knowing what a vaccine is, while one-third described vaccines as protecting health or preventing disease. About 32% were unsure about vaccine safety, while most Hadzabe adults strongly agreed vaccines are effective (65.3%). A majority (72%) agreed vaccines are important for children, yet only one-third strongly agreed on their importance for adults. More females than males expressed uncertainty about the importance of adult vaccines (p = 0.03). Participants in our sample perceived vaccines as less effective and more safe than the general Tanzanian population, based on 2018 Wellcome data. In our sample, results indicate that while Hadzabe participants generally agree that vaccines are important, particularly for children, important gaps in vaccine knowledge remain. There is a clear need to communicate vaccine information to the Hadzabe community in a culturally appropriate manner. Such efforts are critical in safeguarding the health of Indigenous populations experiencing greater market integration, thereby supporting access to vaccines against diseases.

Symbols of Hopelessness in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness: A Study of Colonial Oppression

This research analyzes the symbols of hopelessness in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, focusing on the experiences of the Congolese under Belgian colonial rule. Using textual analysis grounded in Abram’s theory of symbols, the study examines how specific symbols—such as the iron collar, rifles, ivory, and the Congo River—embody the powerlessness, oppression, and suffering of the indigenous population. Thematic analysis reveals how these symbols represent the greed, destruction, and moral decay at the heart of colonialism. The iron collar symbolizes physical and psychological restraint, while the rifles signify the violence that enforces colonial dominance. Ivory represents the exploitation and greed driving colonialism, reducing both people and resources to commodities for profit. The Congo River functions as a path to both exploitation and despair for the Congolese, emphasizing the cyclical nature of their suffering. The findings highlight the stark contrast between the wealth of the colonizers and the degradation of the colonized, underscoring the pervasive hopelessness faced by the Congolese. This research contributes to postcolonial literary studies by offering a deeper understanding of the symbolic dimensions of Heart of Darkness and their broader implications for understanding colonial oppression, providing new insights into the moral and psychological impacts of imperialism.

Rabies seropositive individuals, dogs, and healthcare professionals without prior vaccination in four Brazilian Indigenous communities.

Indigenous communities are reportedly among the most vulnerable populations exposed to rabies worldwide. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess rabies serum titers from healthy Indigenous individuals, their dogs, and healthcare professionals of four Indigenous communities from São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected, and an epidemiological questionnaire applied. The samples were processed by Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) method. Overall, 35/299 (11.7%) individuals and 22/166 (13.2%) dogs without prior vaccination were seropositive. Furthermore, 4/18 (16.7%) healthcare professionals were seropositive, with only one reporting prior rabies vaccination. The lack of rabies titers in the remaining 14/18 (77.8%) healthcare professionals indicates no immune protection. Seropositivity was associated with being from the Kopenoty community (p = 0.026) and with owners reporting seeing their dogs in contact with bats (p = 0.022). In summary, these results should be considered as a warning for the risk of human-dog rabies exposure and infection, mainly due to bat contact.

Engaging Indigenous Families and Community Members: Leadership Towards Relationality and Relational Accountability

Engaging Indigenous Families and Community Members: Leadership Towards Relationality and Relational Accountability

ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS SCHOOLS

The paper discusses potentialities and challenges of the implementation of the Law 11.645/2008, which establishes the inclusion of the mandatory theme “Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous History and Culture” in the guidelines and bases of Brazilian national education. To focus the topic, it starts by describing a series of actions developed in the context of a dialogue between Indigenous and non-indigenous schools and academia in the State of São Paulo, and involving Indigenous and non-indigenous teachers. The theses is that these actions highlight the importance of developing strategies based on a dialogue between the Indigenous epistemological proposals and the non-Indigenous ones as a constructive and promising suggestion for future similar initiatives in the direction of a more plural pedagogical environment.

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF FARMERS-HERDSMEN CONFLICTS ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed causes and effects of farmers-herdsmen conflicts on maize production in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 180 maize farmers and herdsmen that were proportionately drawn from three (3) zones of the study area. Data were collected through the use of well-structured questionnaire and focused group discussion, data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result show that pooled percent 36.7% of respondents fell within the age bracket of 41-50 years. Majority pooled (96.7%) were males and 85.0% of them were married. The result revealed that pooled 36.7% the respondent had household size between 7-9 persons. Majority pooled (61.1%) of the respondent had non-formal education, while, a considerable number pooled (42.2%) of the respondents had farming/grazing experience. The results further revealed that major causes of farmers-herdsmen conflict were crops damage by cattle ( ), encroachment into cattle tracks , lack of access to water points , pollution of water points , indiscriminate bush burning , climate change , desertification and corruption . The results also shows that the major effects of conflicts on maize production were loss of maize crop 81.1%, reduction in crop yield 76.7%, displacement of farmers 94.4%, increased tension within the farming communities 90.0%, increased cost of production 100%, loss of farm inputs 76.7% and food insecurity 100%. The result further revealed the major institution involved in managing conflicts in which the effective ones were police , State government , Traditional rulers , Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association and community leaders . The study concluded that crop damage by cattle, encroachment into cattle tracks, lack of access to water points, pollution of water points and indiscriminate bush burning, cattle rustling, climate change, desertification and corruption were the major causes of conflict in the study area. The study therefore, recommended Government at all levels should explore better involvement of indigenous resource user groups in policies relating to natural resource management and utilization, Governments and communities should jointly cooperate to improve the security situation around the villages with a view to tackling the menace of cattle rustling.

Guna Yala: “el sagrado respeto por la identidad propia” en el contexto del centenario de la Revolución Kuna de 1925

This is a review of the travel writing book by Carolina Jiménez Acuña, Escape a Kuna Yala, published by the Open University press in San Jose, Costa Rica (Editorial Universidad Estatal a Distancia-EUNED) in the year 2016. The author Jiménez is an art historian, visual artist and writer, who has also advised art projects of indigenous peoples (Naso-Tjërdi, Bribri and Cabecar). The book consists of 126 pages and has the ISBN 978-9968-48-314-8.

Front and Back Covers, Volume 41, Number 1. February 2025

Front and back cover caption, volume 41 issue 1INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND THE FOURTH RUSSELL TRIBUNALA poster announcing the Fourth Russell Tribunal on the Rights of the Indians of North, Central and South America. Rotterdam, 24–30 November 1980.This landmark event provided the first international platform for Indigenous peoples of the Americas to speak on their own behalf, marking a crucial moment for Indigenous women's advocacy.The tribunal heard the testimonies from Tukanoan women from the Upper Rio Negro of Brazil who had been trafficked from their communities and placed in domestic servitude in Manaus. Through spokesperson Álvaro Sampaio, the women's testimonies exposed how mission boarding schools had facilitated their exploitation, denying them contact with their families and communities.The tribunal's findings brought significant change. Within a year, the first Indigenous boarding school was dismantled, followed by others in the region. The Tukanoan women went on to establish AMARN (Associação de Mulheres Indígenas do Alto Rio Negro/Numia‐Kurá), Brazil's first Indigenous women's organization.Still active today, AMARN pioneered a movement that expanded Indigenous women's activism throughout Brazil. Janet Chernela's article in this issue examines this watershed moment in Indigenous rights and its enduring legacy for anthropological understandings of subaltern agency.Back cover caption, volume 41 issue 1CAPTIVATING DEATHThis giraffe's fur pattern dissolves into Copenhagen's urban skyline. It illustrates Mc Loughlin's article in this issue, which analyzes the tensions between scientific detachment and emotional attachment in modern zoo practice. It examines how Copenhagen Zoo cultivates ‘fascination’ as a particular form of attachment that enables rather than prevents detachment. The story of the culling and subsequent dissection of Marius, the giraffe, became a touchstone for debates about zoo management practices in which conservation science and public sentiment interplay.The blending of wild animal and city architecture reflects the zoo's position as a space where nature is simultaneously preserved and engineered. Zoos shape contemporary multispecies relations through careful orchestration of both connection and disconnection. The zoo aspires to transparency in managing captive populations – a stance that makes explicit the scientific rationale behind practices like culling, while engaging and disciplining public emotion through practices such as public dissections.Mc Loughlin describes the zoo's attempt to present an ‘authentic’ nature beyond Disney‐like portrayals of animals, where authenticity is carefully constructed through ethically and affectively sticky practices that combine scientific protocols with emotional engagement. Much as the image combines natural and urban elements, conservation institutions must navigate the rationale of scientific management and the affective demands of public attachment.

From sandstone to screen: a culturally responsive arts-based approach to digital literacy in a remote Indigenous community in Australia

ABSTRACT Indigenous students in remote areas face challenges accessing technology and digital literacy, hindering their educational and career opportunities. However, a Queensland Cape York Peninsula community addresses this challenge by leveraging cultural heritage and innovative citizen science to cultivate the next generation of digital leaders. The region is home to some of the world’s most impressive rock art galleries, documenting the traditions of Aboriginal peoples over generations. This case study sheds light on how remote schools can address students’ inequities in accessing digital technologies by offering insights into the potential for combining local culture and arts-based pedagogies to enhance engagement and learning in digital literacy. Alongside identifying obstacles such as limited online resources, technical difficulties, time constraints, and inadequate staff development, this case study provides a model for seeding Indigenous digital literacy in remote educational settings.

Twice marginalised: the status of Marma language and identity in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT In this paper, we tried to understand the status of the Marma language and identity in Bangladesh. Being an Indigenous community in a country where Bengalis form a numerous as well as political majority, the Marmas in Bangladesh experience cultural and linguistic marginalisation. An added dimension of hegemony comes from the Chakmas who, arguably, are the most prominent Indigenous community in Bangladesh with an active political history. Given the multiple layers of marginalisation, we examined how the Marmas in Bangladesh negotiate their language and identity. Using an ethnographic approach through interviews and focus group discussions, we collected data from 14 Marma community members from Rangamati, Bangladesh. A thematic analysis confirmed the double marginalisation of the Marmas in Bangladesh. The findings also showed a shift in language use primarily driven by socio-economic concerns and an intergenerational negotiation of identity among the community members.

Innovation and Well-Being in Indigenous Entrepreneurship in Indonesia: A Capability Approach

ABSTRACT This study explores how innovation occurs in Indigenous entrepreneurship and its effects on the well-being of Indigenous communities in Indonesia, a country in the Global South. Previous research indicates that innovation can occur in Indigenous entrepreneurship. However, there is a lack of understanding about how innovation impacts the well-being of Indigenous communities, particularly at the individual level. The capability approach provides a valuable framework for addressing this issue, considering the unique characteristics of Indigenous communities. We conducted a qualitative comparative case study in the regions of Pringgasela and Lepo Lorun. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with community leaders and entrepreneurs from two different Indigenous communities with diverse social contexts and types of businesses. Our research shows that understanding how Indigenous entrepreneurs assess innovation helps identify their unique values in innovation efforts. These values are driven not only by economic profits but also by the preservation of cultural heritage. Cultural well-being is not just a desired outcome but also a mechanism that allows individuals to participate in collective learning and innovation endeavours.

Media discourse on drinking water before and after a major campylobacteriosis outbreak in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Good quality drinking water requires multiple barriers of protection, implemented through coordinated efforts across society. How drinking water is framed in media discourse can potentially help or hinder these efforts. We analysed newspaper coverage in New Zealand over a ten-year period, before and after a large-scale waterborne campylobacteriosis outbreak in 2016. While articles often led with health risks and expectation of population-level interventions for safe drinking water, broader drivers of inadequate drinking water were obscured by technocratic and/or managerialist framing. Perspectives of Māori (Indigenous population) were strikingly under-represented. These factors appeared likely to limit understanding of, and action on, drinking water issues.

Improving cardiometabolic risk factors in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in northeast Arnhem Land: single arm trial of a co-designed dietary and lifestyle program.

To evaluate the impact of a 4-month dietary and lifestyle program co-designed and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on weight and metabolic markers, diet, and physical activity in overweight and obese adults in a remote Indigenous community. Single arm, pre-post intervention study. Adult residents (18-65 years) of a remote Northern Territory community with body mass index (BMI) values of at least 25 kg/m2 or waist circumferences exceeding 94 cm (men) or 80 cm (women). Hope for Health, a culturally sensitive 4-month program supporting self-managed health improvement based on dietary and lifestyle change, 1 August to 30 November 2022. Weight loss of at least 5%; changes in BMI, waist circumference, other metabolic markers (blood pressure, biomarkers of metabolic health and inflammation), diet, and physical activity; participant perceptions of the program. We assessed outcomes for 55 participants who completedweight assessments at both baseline and program end(mean age, 42.5 years [standard deviation, 10.1 years]; 36 women [65%]). Forty participants lost and 15 gained weight; overall mean weight loss was 1.5 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-2.4 kg), and ten participants (18%; 95% CI, 9-31%) achieved at least 5% weight reduction. The mean change in BMI (53 participants) was -0.60 kg/m2 (95% CI, -0.93 to -0.27 kg/m2), in waist circumference (53 participants) -3.2 cm (95% CI, -4.7 to -1.7 cm), and in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (37 participants) -0.28 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.47 to -0.08 mmol/L); the relative decline in the HbA1c level geometric mean (50 participants) was 11% (95% CI, 6-15%). The intake of breads and cereals (median change, -1.5 [95% CI, -2.0 to -1.0] serves/day) and sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.6 [95% CI, -1.4 to -0.1] serves/day) declined; the amount of moderate and vigorous physical activity increased by a median of 103 min/day (95% CI, 74-136 min/day; 19 participants). The program focus on integrating healthy bodies and networks of kin, healthy governance, vibrant language and ceremony, and a healthy environment were seen as central to its value and benefit. Community appreciation of the program and the improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors are encouraging, providing an example of a culturally sensitive, co-designed initiative led by Indigenous people for reducing the prevalence of chronic disease in remote areas. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622000174785; prospective: 2 February 2022).

Fire in the contemporary cuisines of Indigenous peoples in Canada

Fire in the contemporary cuisines of Indigenous peoples in Canada

Legal and Traditional Construction in Wedding Ceremonies: A Sociological Legal Perspective

Ideally, the construction of formal law and customary traditions in marriage ceremonies should mutually support and accommodate the cultural values of the community. Formal law is expected to provide universal legal certainty, while customary traditions function as social regulators that reflect local identities and values. However, in reality, there is often a misalignment between these two legal systems, which can lead to conflicts and tensions, especially when customary law contradicts national legal provisions. This misalignment presents a significant challenge in creating harmony between formal law and customary traditions, particularly in the context of customary marriages. The purpose of this research is to examine the interaction between the construction of formal law and customary traditions in marriage ceremonies and to identify the challenges that arise from the fundamental differences between the two. The research concludes that despite the gap between formal law and customary traditions, efforts to bridge the two through cultural dialogue and the recognition of customary law can create an inclusive and just legal system. An integrative approach is needed that involves indigenous communities in the legislative process to ensure that the law applied is not only legally relevant but also socially and culturally appropriate.