Description

This measure captures participation in seasonal, land-based traditional practices over the past 12 months. Items ask participants whether they engaged in specific cultural activities such as ricing, fishing, hunting, berry picking, and gathering medicines or birch bark. The measure also includes an open-ended question to allow participants to describe other land-based traditional activities not explicitly listed. One additional item asks about time spent in nature, and another captures participants’ reasons for limited participation if applicable. The purpose of the measure is to assess engagement with cultural practices that are vital for Indigenous identity, well-being, and connection to land.

AI/AN Communities where the measure has been used

Communities in the northern Midwestern United States and Canada

Demographics of AI/AN participants where the scale has been used

Adult caregivers with children and youth aged 10-18

Notes on adaptations or modifications

N/A

Modality and administration

Self-report; this measure is administered via in-person/phone interviews or an online REDCap link is sent to the participant

Scoring

The measure includes items with Yes/No response options and a Don’t Know/Refuse to Answer option. One item uses a frequency scale with the following choices: Every day, Two or more times a week, Once a week, Two or three times a month, Once a month, Less than once a month, Never, and Don’t Know/Refuse to Answer. An additional item is open-ended and allows for a written response. For scoring, responses to the Yes/No items are coded as 0 (No) or 1 (Yes), and summed to generate a total activity score. The frequency and open-ended items are not included in the summed score but can provide contextual or qualitative insights.

Psychometric evidence

No evidence available.

Citation(s)

  • Russette, H., Handeland, T., Price, F., Warne, D., Kelliher, A., Holden, Z., Landguth, E., Walls, M., & Sittner, K. (2025). Connecting place and nature-based traditional and spiritual practices among American Indian and First Nation youth. Health & place, 92, 103424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2025.103424.
  • Hill, K., Russette, H., Steinberg, R., & Fernandez, A. (2025). Indigenous Eco-Relational Engagement and mental wellbeing among American Indian and First Nation adults: Applying the Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge framework. Journal of indigenous social development, 13(1), 40–65. https://doi.org/10.55016/ojs/jisd.v13i1.79223