Promoting a decolonized model of type II diabetes care for Aboriginal peoples living along the North Shore of Lake Huron

Abstract

This thesis aims to identify and contextualize issues faced by Aboriginal peoples in the seven North Shore Tribal Council (NSTC) communities who live with type II diabetes. A constructivist grounded theory methodology, guided by a decolonizing approach to conducting research with Aboriginal peoples, was utilised in this study. Twenty two individuals living with type II diabetes participated in this qualitative study. The main research question explored the impact of colonization on the lived experience and perceptions about developing type II diabetes for Aboriginal peoples. Through the use of semi structured interviews the three main categories that emerged were changing ways of eating, developing diabetes, and choosing your medicine. I have developed a substantive theory that suggests that Aboriginal peoples, living with type II diabetes, often live with the perception that there is ‘no going back’ to the way things once were prior to European contact. As a result they have had to adapt the way they live with diabetes which can, at times, be at odds with Aboriginal world views. An adaptation that considers a complementary approach including both Traditional and Western ways may provide a framework for a decolonized model of type II diabetes care for Aboriginal peoples.