Ph.D., Antioch University, 2014, Leadership and Change

This dissertation frames the first step on a journey toward understanding the current and future place that Native values have in an Alaska Native Corporation, a context of value conflict, resolution, adaptation, and change. My dissertation strives to answer the question, "What is the future of Native Values at Sealaska?" To carry out this study, I utilized the Ethnographic Futures Research Method (EFR) developed by Dr. Robert Textor. EFR, as a method, asks individuals to envision a pessimistic, optimistic, and probable future along with strategies to move the probable future more toward the optimistic vision. EFR is an innovative and unique way to study Native values at a corporate organizational level. I expected the process to result in a collective vision of what Sealaska could be like in 15 years if Native values are integrated as envisioned based on individual interviews and collective discussion of aggregated interview scenario compilation. However, instead it provides the foundation of that strategic foundation for the future of Sealaska. This research revealed a set of tangible, culturally relevant options that can now be discussed and developed into a focus for the future of Sealaska as well as a proposed process to reach that agreement. The dissertation strives to provide meaningful long-range strategic objectives to weave into the evolutionary strategic plan. This dissertation is accompanied by a MP4 video file that is referred to within the text. The video outlines motivation for author's selection of the topic. The electronic version of this dissertation is at Ohiolink ETD Center, http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd.

Committee: Carolyn Kenny PhD (Committee Chair); Mitch Kusy PhD (Committee Member); Jon Wergin PhD (Committee Member); Thomas Thornton PhD (Other) Subjects: Native Americans; Organizational Behavior

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2010, Cross-Cultural, International Education

This research is a case study which looks at a school district in rural Alaska that serves a predominantly Alaska Native population. The research addresses the question of how the district is navigating the implementation of federal and state educational policy and simultaneously adapting initiatives to the local reality and addressing the needs and wishes of Native village communities. To understand the policy implementation process in this specific context, the researcher coded and analyzed all documents provided to the school district's board of education for their meetings from the 2004 through 2009. This data contained both explicit and implicit information about the challenges and relationships that make up a framework within which district administrators, board members, and community members work. In addition, it informed how this framework influences the policy implementation process within the district. Though specific to the context of rural Alaska and education for Alaska Natives, this research explores the local-national dichotomy at play in policy implementation, especially concerning schooling in Native communities. By giving attention to the role of the school board in this process, it is providing insights into an area that is under researched.

Committee: Bruce Collet PhD (Committee Chair); Christopher Frey PhD (Committee Member); Sheri Wells-Jensen PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Bilingual Education; Education; Native Americans

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2007, Higher Education Administration

This study sought to answer two primary research questions: (a) Are there statistically significant differences between the persistence to graduation rates of Native American college students who attend tribal colleges and Native American college students who attend mainstream institutions of higher education in America; and (b) What are the factors that affect the persistence to graduation rates of Native American college students? Results of institutional-level data analysis using data obtained through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) showed statistically significant differences in enrollment, persistence, and graduation and degree receipt based on institutional characteristics. Further analysis using student-level data obtained through license to use restricted access data sets from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study 1995-96 and the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study 1996-2001 confirmed findings from IPEDS analysis, but advanced analysis was not fully completed because the number of cases was insufficient to maintain stability in testing. One major finding of this study was that the broad claims of tribal college success are not entirely supported within the data that were examined.

Committee: William Knight (Advisor) Subjects: Education, Higher

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2024, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

Suicide is a significant public health concern across the world. It is the second leading cause of death for children and young adults ages 10-34 (CDC, 2016). In 2021, suicide rates were highest among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons, and AI/AN youths had the highest rates of suicide compared to their same-aged peers from other racial and ethnic groups (Stone, Mack, & Qualters, 2021). Historical trauma, or unresolved trauma caused by colonization that gets passed down from generation to generation, has been used as a framework for understanding the high rates of social problems and suicide that plague AI/AN communities. Treating suicide and trauma-related symptoms requires an awareness of the historical factors that contribute to contemporary psychosocial problems. This paper will review the research on suicide risk and protective factors, suicide prevention strategies, and therapeutic interventions. This writer proposes a culturally-tailored trauma-informed treatment program specific to AI/AN youth who are impacted by intergenerational trauma and suicide. The program will build on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a treatment that has demonstrated effectiveness with children and adolescents who are struggling with trauma symptoms. AI/AN traditional cultural beliefs and practices will be incorporated into the model, with an emphasis on cultural identity and spirituality. This twelve-week group treatment program will be developed for AI/AN adolescents and their families, and the interventions will focus on psychoeducation, skill building, trauma narration, trauma processing, safety planning, and strengthening family relationships. Unique elements of the program include interventions that are specifically focused on preventing suicidality and processing historical trauma. The hope is that this approach to treatment will serve as a guideline for addressing historical trauma related symptoms and suicidality in AI/AN community mental heal (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Brett Kia-Keating Ed.D. (Committee Chair); Stephen Southern Ed.D. (Committee Member); Michael Pines Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology; Psychotherapy

Doctor of Nursing Practice , Case Western Reserve University, 2018, School of Nursing

Background and Purpose: Falls and fall-related injuries are an ongoing public health concern since one in three adults over 65 years of age is expected to fall each year and, of those who fall, an estimated 33 % will require a medical intervention. Despite the evidence that most older-adult falls are preventable and that evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for identifying and managing risk are widely available, often a gap between scientific evidence and clinical practice exists. This study examined, within the context of Indian healthcare organizations, health care providers' knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practice (KAP) of evidence-based, older adult fall prevention and the potential relationships among these concepts. The Promoting Action on Research in Health Services framework was selected to guide the study and interpretation of findings since knowledge, attitude, and behavior may influence fall prevention practice and are, for the purpose of this study, considered sub-factors in terms of the framework. Methods: A self-administered, Likert-type, questionnaire was distributed on-line to 222 health care providers (HCPs). It was completed by 33 health care professionals, employees of one or more of the approximately 41 federally-funded tribal healthcare organizations located within the California Area Indian Health Service. Results: Fewer than half of the health care providers (33 %) indicated “very knowledgeable” about older adult fall prevention. Most (97 %) acknowledged that preventing falls in older adults is “urgent' or “somewhat urgent”. A majority of health care providers perceived older adult fall prevention as “very important”, responses at 85 % and above. However, practice-wise, as to the six older adult fall prevention services, most indicated their organizations provided them only “sometimes or for some patients” or by “referral to other person or organization”. No statistically significant relationships were found between agg (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Deborah Lindell (Committee Chair); Carol Musil (Committee Member); Bruce Finke (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Care; Native Americans; Nursing; Public Health

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2010, Sociology

This research study examines how ethnic group membership and economic resources influence health related Quality of Life (HRQOL).While there is little debate that differences exist between Native and White Alaskans in their perceived quality of life, from what is presently known it is difficult to assess whether these differences derive from ethnicity or from SES. This study utilizes the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study (BRFSS) study to examine SES and ethnic group membership interconnection. One useful strategy to enable a better understanding of the intrinsic role of SES with respect to HRQOL is to compare a socially and economically disadvantaged group to a relatively non-disadvantaged group. Evidence from this research presents surprising results in relation to the connection and interconnection of SES, ethnicity, and HRQOL.

Committee: Dale Dannefer PhD (Committee Chair); Neal Dawson MD (Committee Member); Brian Gran JD, PhD (Committee Member); Jessica Kelley-Moore PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Cultural Anthropology; Health; Health Care; Mental Health; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2013, Anthropology

Assimilation policies and practices of past centuries systematically distanced Alaska Native peoples from traditional activities that sustained them for centuries. In the late 20th century, however, a renaissance of indigenous cultures emerged across the Americas that turned attention to the role of cultural activities in modern societies. At the same time, critical youth studies increasingly considered children as active agents in social life. Such research is particularly relevant and timely in contexts of rapid social change such as rural Alaska, where global influences increasingly permeate local life-ways and indigenous youths are charting new courses to adulthood. This ethnographic, case study was conducted with 19 Dena’ina youths in Nondalton, Alaska to examine the role of subsistence culture in their subjective wellbeing and future aspirations. Mixed-methods were used, including surveys, interviews and participant-observation over the course of one year. The Developmental Assets Framework and local knowledge were used to interview youths about life experiences in six life domains, including: family, friends, school, self, community and culture. Surveys queried youths’ subjective wellbeing and aspirations, daily routines, 11 and participation in various cultural activities. Participant-observation was conducted in fish camps, family homes, school, community events, and on the land. Study findings suggest that these youths generally experience high levels of life satisfaction, identify strongly with subsistence culture, and desire to practice these traditions in the future. However, individual wellbeing is more variable and patterns of dissatisfaction related to discontinuities in the educational system, peer and elder relationships, and community cohesion are evident. Youths are increasingly faced with historically unprecedented choices and opportunities that conflict with subsistence activities. These factors converge to distance youths from (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jill Korbin Ph.D. (Advisor); Larry Greksa Ph.D. (Committee Member); Janet McGrath Ph.D. (Committee Member); James Spilsbury Ph.D., M.P.H. (Committee Member) Subjects: Cultural Anthropology