| Numerous authors have highlighted the need for culturally based trauma theory and interventions (Robin, Chester, & Goldman, 1997; Braveheart, 2004) and call for a consideration of Native history and the continuing transfer of trauma across generations as critical in the development of prevention and intervention strategies if they are to be effective for Native People (Braveheart, 2004). The Gathering of Native Americans (GONA), an annual event hosted by the Native American Health Center (NAHC), provides a place for adolescents to explore what it means to heal for themselves, their family members, and their community. The primary goal of this research is to provide a voice for urban Native youth to explore community healing while sharing their experience of GONA.;The design of the study uses a model of collaborative inquiry which allowed me to study community healing along side and along with 10 urban Native youth from the San Francisco Bay area who participated in GONA. Youth participated in two focus groups, one held before and one held after their experience of GONA. This paper will discuss the four themes of GONA: belonging, mastery, interdependence, and generosity, as well as additional themes that emerged within the focus groups that were also found to be integral to community healing. Some participants also attended a community response focus group facilitated by Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services in accordance with the Mental Health Services Act and the subsequent distribution of funds for underserved populations in Prevention and Early Intervention Services. I chose to include this community meeting in the research for the opportunity to witness the participants of this study demonstrate cultural values nurtured at GONA first hand.;Another goal of this study is to share my experience of the process of incorporating cultural competency into the practice of conducting research. Skills and attributes found to be important in a researcher who conducts research in a community that s/he is not from are shared. Recommendations provide insight for future outsiders who have the honor of supporting a community develop practice based evidence regarding the effectiveness of an already established culturally competent program. |
