"I'm proud of me": Perspectives of pride in Indigenous children and their caregivers

• In Event: Diversity & Inclusion in Criminology

Abstract

Recent research has moved towards strength-based programming to address trauma among Indigenous populations. Although there is growing research on cultural strengths in Indigenous communities, less research has directly asked both Indigenous children and their caregivers about their perceptions of their strengths, which could have implications for culturally grounded, family-based strengths-focused programming. Therefore, the primary aim of our study was to learn what Indigenous children and their caregivers identify as things that they are proud of. A secondary aim is to examine if participants’ responses changed over time as a function of participating in a culturally grounded, family-based strengths-focused prevention program. Before completing a battery of surveys, participants were asked to give three responses to the question: What are you most proud of? Participants were asked this question at three survey time points including baseline, an immediate post-test, and a six-month follow-up. After conducting a thematic analysis, we found 33 underlying themes of what children and their caregivers were proud of. Examples included being alive, native culture, perseverance, sobriety, financial stability, being happy, and parenting. Analyses are underway regarding the secondary aim. Knowing what Indigenous people are proud of can provide insight for tailoring strength-based programming to Indigenous youth and families.

Authors

• Gabby Miller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Maeve Allen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Emily Waterman, Bennington College

• Katie M. Edwards, University of Nebraska-Lincoln