Linking aboriginal healing traditions to holistic nursing practice


Author: Hunter L//Logan J//Barton S//Goulet JG

Affiliation: University of Ottawa. hunl@cchsa.ca
Conference/Journal: J Holist Nurs
Date published: 2004
Other:
 Volume ID: 22   ,  Issue ID: 3   ,  Pages: 267-85   ,  Word Count: 121  
    With a phenomenal expected growth in the Canadian Aboriginal population and the fact that less than 1% of Canadian health professionals are of Aboriginal ancestry, there is an increased need for culturally competent health professionals. This article explains diverse healing traditions and links those traditions to holistic nursing practice. Respect for culturally sensitive care is necessary for understanding Aboriginal peoples in different contexts. We suggest that nursing practice, which takes into consideration the understanding of Aboriginal healing traditions, strengthens the intention of nurses to be holistic. Holism in nursing allows the profession to be on the fore-front of understanding Aboriginal healing traditions; the linking of holistic nursing practice with Aboriginal healing traditions offers a foundation on which to build culturally competent care.