title: Historical Trauma, Substance Use, and Indigenous Peoples: Seven Generations of Harm From a "Big Event".
abstract: Indigenous peoples the world over have and continue to experience the devastating effects of colonialism including loss of life, land, language, culture, and identity. Indigenous peoples suffer disproportionately across many health risk factors including an increased risk of substance use. We use the term "Big Event" to describe the historical trauma attributed to colonial policies as a potential pathway to explain the disparity in rates of substance use among many Indigenous populations. We present "Big Solutions" that have the potential to buffer the negative effects of the Big Event, including: (1) decolonizing strategies, (2) identity development, and (3) culturally adapted interventions. Study limitations are noted and future needed research is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Children and Families, McGill University , Montreal, Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nutton
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fast
mesh_terms: D018595:Colonialism; D065246:Culturally Competent Care; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Indigenous peoples; North America; colonialism; community based; culturally adapted interventions; decolonization; health disparities; historical trauma; identity; substance use