Exploring Métis health, spirituality and well-being: a patient-oriented community-based qualitative study with the Métis Nation of Alberta – Region 3

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of Métis-guided participatory research on factors that contribute to individual, family and community well-being, such as developing social support and engaging in cultural, social and historical processes for healing and health. The purpose of this study was to explore links among health, spirituality and well-being within the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) – Region 3. METHODS: In the largest of 12 MNA – Region 3 communities, together with a working group of 9 community members, informal and elected leaders, and an Elder, we codeveloped a qualitative structured survey exploring health, spirituality and well-being. Following face-to-face distribution of the paper survey to community members (February to March 2019), we engaged with 7 working group members in coding and theme development. Results were shared with the community. RESULTS: Thirty-one community members requested surveys, with 29 participants aged 28–80 years (mean 54.77 yr, standard deviation 15.31 yr) completing the surveys (94% completion rate). Six participants were in the working group that codeveloped the survey. An overarching theme of connection and 4 corresponding subthemes were identified; central to well-being was maintaining connection and balance in mental, emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of health. Connection to Métis ancestry required understanding identity; connection to community involved feeling at home; connection to land included belonging; and connection to tradition encompassed blending of cultures. INTERPRETATION: Connection among ancestry, land, community and tradition contributed to well-being in our sample. Under the direction of each MNA region, exploration of health, spirituality and well-being with the use of our survey could be considered in community-specific Métis-guided ways across the remaining 5 MNA regions; the survey may also be of use to other provincial bodies in the Métis Nation.