Sewing and Inuit women's health in the Canadian Arctic

Kristin Emanuelsen; Tristan Pearce; Jill Oakes; Sherilee Harper; James Ford

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113523

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Sewing and Inuit women's health in the Canadian Arctic

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Sewing and Inuit women's health in the Canadian Arctic

Kristin Emanuelsen, Tristan Pearce, Jill Oakes, Sherilee Harper and James Ford

Social Science & Medicine, Vol.265, pp.1-8

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113523

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Abstract

Determinants of health

Sewing

Indigenous

Health and well-being

Identity

Culture

Traditional activities

Traditional Inuit cultural values and practices are integral to an Inuit understanding of health. We examine the role of sewing in Inuit women’s health in the Canadian Arctic in a case study of Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada. An analysis of data collected using semi-structured interviews with 30 Inuit women reveals that sewing contributes to participant’s health and the collective health of the community in several ways including: pride and sense of accomplishment; cultural identity; relaxation, decompression, and socialization; and spirituality and healing. As a cultural practice, sewing is about older generations teaching younger generations about their identity, who they are and where they come from. For some participants, sewing is a way through which they express their culture. Sewing brings people together at a time when social isolation is becoming more apparent, and gives women the chance to learn vital, tangible skills that continue to have social, economic, and cultural importance. Sewing is also a form of healing that helps women ease their minds and focus on a challenging and productive task that brings them satisfaction, self-worth, and value. We conclude that sewing is important for cultural continuity, enabling Inuit to both practice and carryon their culture, and contributing positively to individual and the collective health of the community. •Sewing contributes to individual and the collective health of the community.•Inuit health is strongly associated with identity and culture.•Through sewing, Inuit nurture social relationships and cultural traditions.•Sewing is a form of healing.

Details

Title: Sewing and Inuit women's health in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Kristin Emanuelsen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research Centre
Tristan Pearce (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research Centre
Jill Oakes (Author) - University of Manitoba
Sherilee Harper (Author) - University of Alberta
James Ford (Author) - University of Leeds
Publication details: Social Science & Medicine, Vol.265, pp.1-8
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113523
ISSN: 1873-5347
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Centre
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99489707902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Social Sciences, Biomedical

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