Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2025

Document Type

Restricted Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Brooklyn Loxtercamp, DNP, RN, PHN

Second Advisor

Valerie Guimaraes, DNP, RN

Third Advisor

Jessica Fretty, MAN, RN

Abstract

Native American (NA) adolescents and adults experience higher rates of substance use disorder (SUD) among all other ethnic groups in the United States. Research demonstrates smudging as a therapeutic, culturally congruent intervention for decreasing negative behaviors and managing emotions related to SUD, while reconnecting Indigenous identity in outpatient recovery programs. This project proposal analyzes tribal practices in the hospital setting to best direct nurses and hospital administration in facilitating patient care. The project, Healing through Smudging (HtS), aims to support NA patients in the hospital through nurse advocacy, a smudging policy, and frameworks genuine engagement with the Indigenous community. From the synthesized literature, instruction is presented to health care providers and administrators that facilitates bias recognition, deconstruction, and development of cultural awareness. The desired outcome is to enhance relationships between the hospital and NA community by honoring Indigenous identity, respecting cultural values, and strengthening the patient’s cultural safety. The combination of a community-revised smudging protocol, Anishinaabe medicine wheel, and reflection cards protects and honors tribal knowledge in a way that heals the Mind, Body, and Spirit. HtS confirms smudging as an effective tool to manage SUD among hospitalized NAs. The project supports ancestral knowledge, identifies and deconstructs barriers to healing, and supports nurses to best care for the NA community. Further implications include transcultural nurse advocacy and respectful tribal engagement that strengthens the community’s connection to Western care environments.

Identifier

SC 11.MAN.2025.Nevel.C.L.

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