“The Strengths of Our Community and Our Culture”

Abstract

While cultural continuity has been identified as an important Indigenous determinant of health, there is limited qualitative research that has sought to understand the meaning and context of cultural continuity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada. Specifically, despite reported disparities in mental health for the Métis population in British Columbia (BC) and elsewhere—as well as challenges that many Métis people face in maintaining cultural connectedness—cultural continuity research with Métis communities remains largely ignored. This qualitative study explores Métis people’s experiences and conceptualizations of mental health and cultural continuity through conversational interviews, analyzed to understand the overarching themes within a Métis worldview. From this analysis, three themes are presented within the scope of this paper: Métis stories of culture, identity, and mental health; the importance of community; and intergenerational knowledge transmission. This research speaks to the important role that cultural continuity plays in shaping Métis journeys with mental health. There is a need for continued support for the maintenance of Métis cultural practices, language revitalization, and Elder-youth engagement opportunities for increased cultural continuity for Métis people, families, and communities in BC.