Abstract
In this study, Indigenous Elders in Canada were interviewed to explore their conceptualizations of death and dying, particularly in relation to suicide. Through reflexive thematic analysis, three key themes were developed: Indigenous conceptions of death and dying, Christian influences on views of suicide, and indirect suicide. The theme of Indigenous conceptualizations of death and dying included the subthemes of spirituality and life after death, highlighting the importance of spiritual beliefs in Indigenous culture and knowledge systems. The impact of Christian influences on views of suicide was also explored, with participants discussing the complex nature of the relationship between Christianity and Indigenous peoples. Finally, the theme of indirect suicide was analyzed, referring to deaths resulting from behaviors that do not necessarily fit within the conventional definition of suicide. Overall, this study highlights the importance of honoring Indigenous cultural knowledge in research related to suicide prevention in Indigenous communities.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by SR and JA. Supervision was conducted by JA. The first draft of the manuscript was written by SR and JA, reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors read, contributed, and approved the final manuscript.
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Rowe, S., Ansloos, J.P. Understanding Suicide from an Indigenous Cultural Lens: Insights from Elders in Canada. J Relig Health 63, 1038–1057 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02022-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02022-7