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Reclaiming Land, Identity and Mental Wellness in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Territory

Author

Listed:
  • Elana Nightingale

    (Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Chantelle Richmond

    (Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

Abstract

Indigenous peoples globally are pursuing diverse strategies to foster mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness by reclaiming and restoring their relationships to land. For Anishinaabe communities, the land is the source of local knowledge systems that sustain identities and foster mino-bimaadiziwin, that is, living in a good and healthy way. In July 2019, the community of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg in Ontario, Canada hosted a week-long land camp to reclaim Mountain Lake and reconnect Elders, youth and band staff to the land, history, and relationships of this place. Framed theoretically by environmental repossession, we explore the perceptions of 15 participating community members and examine local and intergenerational meanings of the camp for mental wellness. The findings show that the Mountain Lake camp strengthened social relationships, supported the sharing and practice of Anishinaabe knowledge, and fostered community pride in ways that reinforced the community’s Anishinaabe identity. By exploring the links between land reclamation, identity, and community empowerment, we suggest environmental repossession as a useful concept for understanding how land reconnection and self-determination can support Indigenous mental wellness.

Suggested Citation

  • Elana Nightingale & Chantelle Richmond, 2022. "Reclaiming Land, Identity and Mental Wellness in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Territory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7285-:d:838393
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Durkalec, Agata & Furgal, Chris & Skinner, Mark W. & Sheldon, Tom, 2015. "Climate change influences on environment as a determinant of Indigenous health: Relationships to place, sea ice, and health in an Inuit community," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 136, pages 17-26.
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    4. Mikraszewicz, Kathleen & Richmond, Chantelle, 2019. "Paddling the Biigtig: Mino biimadisiwin practiced through canoeing," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    5. Hatala, Andrew R. & Morton, Darrien & Njeze, Chinyere & Bird-Naytowhow, Kelley & Pearl, Tamara, 2019. "Re-imagining miyo-wicehtowin: Human-nature relations, land-making, and wellness among Indigenous youth in a Canadian urban context," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 122-130.
    6. Fatima Ahmed & Aleksandra M. Zuk & Leonard J. S. Tsuji, 2021. "The Impact of Land-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Self-Reported Health and Well-Being of Indigenous Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-23, July.
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    Cited by:

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