International Association for Indigenous Aging - IA2

The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map for American Indian & Alaska Native Peoples outlines five key Indigenous Determinants of Health to support wellness through a strengths-based, culturally centered framework.

The determinants of health are: Indigenous Knowledge, Language and Identity, Land and Kinship, Sovereignty, and Structural/Systemic Factors

Today we are highlighting Indigenous Knowledge:
• Ways of being in community, including shared traditions, cultural practices, and collective experiences that support overall well-being
• Knowledge passed through generations that helps individuals understand, teach, and take action for the health of their communities

Indigenous knowledge also plays an important role in brain health and dementia. Cultural practices, storytelling, and intergenerational connections can support cognitive engagement, strengthen identity, and promote a sense of purpose. These connections can help improve quality of life and support more culturally meaningful care for individuals living with dementia and those who care for them.
https://www.alz.org/getmedia/0174f6d9-af2d-423d-84c6-c6fdc0aab804/hbi-road-map-american-indian-alaska-native-peoples.pdf