Indigenous Community Projects: Addressing Colonization through Using Culture as a Protective Factor

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2023.14.2.14723

Keywords:

Indigenous, culture as a protective factor, colonization, historical trauma, Native American

Abstract

Indigenous communities have painful histories of colonization, resulting in historical trauma and adverse current community conditions (CCCs). This is a mixed method study of Administration for Native Americans grants that includes analysis of project summaries and CCCs as well as a analysis of impact and effectiveness scores finished projects are given by ANA evaluators. The results show that all grants included in the analysis are addressing colonization and almost half of the grants are utilizing culture as a protective factor. The projects using culture as a protective factor have significantly higher effectiveness ratings, which means they are achieving their objectives more than those not using culture. Grantee project examples are in the discussion. The paper concludes with policy implications for funders.

Author Biographies

Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon, Child Trends

Dr. Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon is Iñupiaq and an enrolled member of the Nome Eskimo Community. Dr. Gordon is a Research Scientist II in the Youth Development Program at Child Trends. She has a B.A. in Race and Ethnic Studies, a M.S. in Sociology, and a PhD in Indigenous Studies with a concentration in Indigenous Sustainability. Her research areas of interest include self-determination, sustainability, wellbeing, culture as a protective factor, climate change, decolonization, historical trauma, missing and/or murdered Indigenous people, anti-racism, and engaging in mutually beneficial research with Indigenous communities.

Amy Zukowski, Administration for Native Americans

Amy Zukowski, an Alaska Native, is the Director of the Division of Program Evaluation and Planning at the Administration for Native Americans, an office in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Here career has been primarily in Native American affairs, health care, and environmental preservation both on Capitol Hill and as a lobbyist and policy specialist for several non-profit organizations. Ms. Zukowski graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Government and Politics, with a focus on International Environmental Affairs and Economics.

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2023-08-30