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Developing a Cultural Framework

First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) Cultural Framework

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Statistical Highlights

Not applicable. The document is philosophical and methodological rather than quantitative.

Notable Findings

The report defines “total health” as the total well-being of the total person within the total environment. It argues that Indigenous intelligence must guide all data work, and identifies visioning as the culturally appropriate starting point for health assessment.

Abstract

This report introduced a cultural and philosophical framework to guide the First Nations Regional Health Survey (RHS), authored by Jim Dumont in collaboration with FNIGC. Drawing from Indigenous intelligence, it outlined a four-stage process—Visioning, Relating, Analysis, and Community Building—as the foundation for culturally grounded health research. The framework emphasized the need to embed traditional knowledge, relational ethics, and community-defined visions of wellness into every stage of data work.

This early contribution helped define Indigenous data governance as more than technical protocol—it positioned culture, language, and vision as central to what and how we measure wellness.

RELEASE DATE:

February 2005

CONDUCTED BY:

Jim Dumont, in partnership with the First Nations Information Governance Committee (FNIGC), as part of the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS)

DATA COLLECTION PERIOD:

Not applicable – this is a foundational framework document, not a data collection summary.

PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES:

Intended to inform all First Nations communities engaging in RHS or culturally informed data work.

LENGTH & STRUCTURE:

16 pages organized into narrative sections exploring Indigenous intelligence, divergent worldviews, and four key stages of a cultural framework: Visioning, Relating, Analysis, and Community Building.

Why It Matters

The Cultural Framework offers a clear, values-based structure for interpreting First Nations health data in ways that reflect Indigenous worldviews. By emphasizing “Indigenous intelligence” as the balance of spirit, heart, mind, and body, it grounds all future research in a model that aligns with community teachings and experiences. Visioning is named as the first step—placing emphasis not on the data itself, but on the goals and values of the people it is meant to serve.

The framework asserts that data must not only measure, but also build, connect, and transform. For Mi’kmaw researchers and health leaders, this document confirms that our ways of seeing the world are methodologically valid and essential to wellness. It strengthens the cultural legitimacy of community-led surveys and supports future training, analysis, and planning that honour tradition while generating insight​.

Key Topics

  • Defined Indigenous intelligence as body-mind-heart-spirit responsiveness rooted in relationships.
  • Contrasted Indigenous and Euro-Western value systems to establish cultural foundations for data analysis.
  • Outlined a four-stage cultural framework: Visioning, Relating, Analysis, and Community Building.

When I read about Indigenous intelligence being body, mind, heart, and spirit—it reminded me of how my grandfather always said health isn’t just physical. It’s about how you live with your community and the land.

Elder
Pictou Landing First Nation