Date of Award
Spring 2017
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Anthropology
First Advisor
Dr. Bilinida Straight
Second Advisor
Dr. Sarah Hill
Third Advisor
Dr. Jose Brandao
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Michael Kral
Keywords
Indigenous, Ojibwa/Chippewa, youth suicide, creative ethnographic writing, ethnography
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death amongst indigenous North American youth. The majority of studies on indigenous youth suicide focus on quantitative data collection and analysis. Qualitative and collaborative methods provide the cultural and historical contexts necessary for a critical understanding of youth suicide in indigenous communities. Through classic ethnographic methods (structured interviews, participant observation) and descriptive analysis, this work highlights the value of qualitative data. Medical anthropology informs an ethnomedical approach toward youth suicide, death, life, health and related concepts. Analyzing the semantics of prevention and intervention aids a critical-interpretive approach to current research and prevention-intervention frameworks and activities. Through creative ethnographic writing (poetry, creative non-fiction-short stories) and didactic language, dissemination becomes an instrument of community participation in the analytical process. Evidence indicates symbolic associations and violence, structural violence, and maladaptive role of conflicted identity and intergenerational traumatic memory. Fully grasping indigenous youth suicide requires expanding qualitative and mixed methods research.
Recommended Citation
Allard, Seth, "Guided by the Spirits: The Meanings of Life, Death and Youth Suicide in an Ojibwa Community" (2017). Masters Theses. 936.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/936