ISBN-13: 9783639115406 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 116 str.
ISBN-13: 9783639115406 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 116 str.
The semi-isolated conditions of Northern Saskatchewanprovide challenges for both health care workers andpatients receiving cancer care. Since limitedinformation exists on the way cancer is perceived andexperienced, the views of cancer, health and illnessamong the Woodland Cree were explored. Perceptions ofcancer, health and illness were elicited through 18personal interviews and two group interviews fromparticipants. The concepts of health and illnessamong the Woodland Cree show that there is a complexintertwining of Western and traditional beliefsystems. Knowledge systems of the Woodland Creeinclude the seminal role Elders have within thecommunities as teachers and knowledge keepers. Canceras experienced by the Woodland Cree reflects thephysical, emotional, intellectual and spiritualaspects of having cancer or having a family memberwith cancer, including the challenges of receivingtimely diagnoses and cancer care in isolated northerncommunities. Furthermore, the Woodland Cree have thecapacity to pick the best from both the Western andtraditional worlds.