The purpose of this thesis is to examine Indigenous versus Western philosophies that pertain to treatment of mental health and wellbeing for Indigenous youth in the Yukon. This thesis is framed by two questions about the experience of identity for Yukon First Nations Youth: (1) How are Yukon First Nations Youth able to develop and sustain their individual and collective identity by balancing the two worlds they live in? And (2) What is the Yukon First Nations perspective on spirituality, mental health and Youth suicide prevention? It is pertinent that a distinction be made between what has been implemented in health care and seen as the social norm in terms of the Western use of power versus emphasis on spiritual truth. The words Spirituality and Healing are synonymous to Indigenous philosophies of wellness. There is a need for culturally appropriate healing approaches in the Yukon. This thesis focuses on solutions for the First Nations youth in the Yukon, as described by two Elders, two service providers, a mom and a dad, and the two youth that I talked to, thus taking a unique and insightful approach. The questions they were asked have identified how these people view youth developing and sustaining their individual and collective identity by balancing the two worlds they live in. --P. v.
The author of this study, a First Nations teacher, has designed a culturally sensitive workshop for northern youth addressing mental health concerns. The ten hour workshop, entitled A Person First!, will encourage youth to consider the harmful impact of stigma on people who have mental health issues. The need for a workshop that appeals specifically to First Nations youth is evident in Yukon and in other northern communities, currently there is a lack of culturally relevant workshops that addresses mental health issues in remote northern communities. A Person First! Is geared towards First Nations learners and will be presented n the context of the cultural beliefs systems within their own communities. The author has presented a leader's guide for local facilitators that includes instructions for the use of video clips, circle discussions, and a self-reflection tool based on the Medicine Wheel. The workshop design, supported by research, recommends community education to promote youth resilience through stigmas reduction and peer support. As community-based education, this workshop was designed to stimulate transformative change in youth thinking and behavior so that peers experiencing mental health issues will experience a supportive environment.
