Les écrivaines autochtones contemporaines au Québec : re/connexion avec le soi, la communauté et la Terre par la narration résurgente

Abstract : This dissertation explores contemporary Indigenous women writers who crafted their cultural productions in the geo-political territory we now call Quebec between 1976 and the present. My main argument is that contemporary Indigenous women’s writing in Quebec constitutes an expression of Indigenous resurgence. I understand Indigenous resurgence as a movement of transformation that is grounded in Indigenous worldviews and seeks to revitalize Indigenous ways of knowing and being. My corpus is comprised of the artistic and literary texts of seven Indigenous women in Quebec. More specifically, I investigate Kanien’kehá:ka artist Skawennati’s machinima project TimeTravellerTM (2008-2013), selected poems from Maya Cousineau Mollen’s debut collection Bréviaire du matricule 082 (2019), Natasha Kanapé Fontaine’s poetry collections Manifeste Assi (2014) and Bleuets et abricots (2016), Rita Mestokosho’s multilingual collections How I See Life, Grandmother / Eshi uapataman nukum / Comment je perçois la vie, grand-mère (2011) and Née de la pluie et de la terre (2014), and Manon Nolin’s debut collection Ma peau aime le Nord (2016), as well as the autobiographically-based narratives Eukuan nin matshi-manitu innushkueu / Je suis une maudite Sauvagesse (1976) by An Antane Kapesh and Kuessipan: à toi (2011) by Naomi Fontaine. My methodological approach juxtaposes contemporary Indigenous women’s writing with Indigenous feminist and decolonizing theories. In Chapter 1, I argue that Skawennati’s main objective is to empower Indigenous women by sharing and celebrating decolonial alternatives of the past, present, and future. In Chapter 2, I contend that Innu women poets use what I refer to as “Indigenous herstory” to lyrically transcribe their transformation into “Innushkueu,” meaning Innu or Indigenous woman. Chapter 3 discusses Indigenous women’s autobiographically-based narratives as “tipatshimuns:” Innu traditionally oral stories testifying to the storyteller’s lives experiences. In Chapter 4, I propose that Innu women’s poetry and environmental activism merge into what I call “land-based poetic activism:” activist poetry that voices opposition to environmental exploitation, destruction, and injustice and is thus instrumentalized in a political manner to protect Indigenous land and Rights.Cette thèse explore l’élaboration de productions culturelles d’écrivaines autochtones contemporaines dans le territoire géopolitique que nous appelons présentement le Québec entre 1976 jusqu’à présent. Mon argument principal est que l’écriture contemporaine des femmes autochtones au Québec constitue une expression de la résurgence autochtone. Je comprends la résurgence autochtone comme un mouvement de transformation qui est fondé sur les visions du monde autochtones et qui cherche à revitaliser les modes de connaissance et d’existence autochtones. Mon corpus est constitué des textes artistiques et littéraires de sept femmes autochtones du Québec. Plus précisément, j’étudie le projet machinima TimeTravellerTM (2008-2013) de l’artiste Kanien’kehá:ka Skawennati, le premier recueil de Maya Cousineau Mollen Bréviaire du matricule 082 (2019), les recueils de poésie de Natasha Kanapé Fontaine Manifeste Assi (2014) et Bleuets et abricots (2016), les recueils multilingues de Rita Mestokosho How I See Life, Grandmother / Eshi uapataman nukum / Comment je perçois la vie, grand-mère (2011) et Née de la pluie et de la terre (2014), le premier recueil de Manon Nolin Ma peau aime le Nord (2016), ainsi que les récits à caractère autobiographique Eukuan nin matshi-manitu innushkueu / Je suis une maudite Sauvagesse (1976) d’An Antane Kapesh, et Kuessipan: à toi (2011) de Naomi Fontaine. Mon approche méthodologique juxtapose les écrits de femmes autochtones contemporaines avec les théories féministes autochtones et décolonisatrices. Dans le chapitre 1, j’avance que l’objectif principal de Skawennati est de rendre le pouvoir aux femmes autochtones en partageant et en célébrant les alternatives décolonisatrices du passé, du présent et du futur. Dans le chapitre 2, je soutiens que les poètes innues utilisent ce que j’appelle « l’histoire autochtone au féminin ou Indigenous herstory » pour transcrire de façon lyrique leur transformation en « Innushkueu », qui signifie femme innue ou autochtone. Le chapitre 3 traite des récits autobiographiques en tant que « tipatshimuns » : des histoires innues traditionnellement orales qui témoignent des expériences de vie de la narratrice. Dans le chapitre 4, je propose que la poésie des femmes innues et l’activisme environnemental fusionnent dans ce que j’appelle « l’activisme poétique territorial ou land-based poetic activism » : une poésie activiste qui exprime une opposition à l’exploitation, à la destruction et à l’injustice environnementales et qui ainsi est instrumentalisée de manière politique pour protéger la Terre et les droits autochtones

Characterization of Bison Finishing and Harvest Systems: Effects on Carcass and Meat Quality Characteristics

The objectives of this thesis project were to 1) characterize the influence of finishing system (grain-finished vs. grass-finished) on carcass characteristics, meat quality, the nutritional composition, and consumer preference for bison meat 2) evaluate the effectiveness of beef camera grading technology on grain- and grass-finished bison carcass characteristics, and 3) characterize the influence harvest systems (on-ranch vs. commercial facilities) on animal stress response, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and consumer preference of bison heifers. For objectives 1 and 2: Grain- (n=108) and grass- (n=93) finished bison heifers were slaughtered at 28 mo of age, at approximately 20 h postmortem, carcass measurements and camera images were recorded, and striploins were collected from a subsample of caresses (n=30 carcasses closest to the treatment average hot carcass weight) for meat quality analyses. For objective 2, grass-finished bison heifers were randomly assigned to harvest treatments: Commercial (n=93, transported ~720 km to a commercial harvest facility) or On-ranch (n = 40, harvested onranch using a mobile slaughter unit). Blood samples were collected immediately following exsanguination, carcass measurements were recorded, and striploins were collected from a subsample of carcasses (n=30 carcasses closest to the treatment average hot carcass weight). For objective 1, finishing systems influenced bison carcass characteristics and meat quality; however, there was no differences detected between finishing systems for consumer preferences. Additionally, finishing systems influenced nutrient content and fatty acid composition, which may have health implications; as grass-finished steaks had decreased fat and cholesterol content, but increased proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to grain-finished steaks. For objective 2, bison ribeye images collected with a beef grading camera were correlated with expert grader evaluations, however the camera was more efficient at determining yield grade parameters, and had difficulties measuring marbling. Accuracy of measurements and validation of a suitable camera grading system for bison will require additional investigation, including calibration and adjustments for bison carcass characteristics. For objective 3, harvest systems influenced short-term stress response, and some carcass and meat quality characteristics of bison heifers. However, harvest systems had minimal impact on consumer preference for bison

Exploring the Integration of Disability Awareness into Tertiary Teaching and Learning Activities

A desire to have every student attending our University be aware of, and reflect on, disability in their studies and future careers, initiated our project to explore how to enhance disability awareness within all our University’s papers. In this project we systematically reviewed pertinent literature and ran an action research workshop for staff. Strategies to enhance disability awareness identified in the literature and workshop were presented and verified at an interactive conference presentation. Embedding disability awareness into curricula is challenging; staff considered themselves powerless to bring about change in their departments, but thought that one way to do so would be by modelling inclusive behaviour and by introducing subtle inclusive practices into papers taught. The identified strategies may be of use to others contemplating similar curricular modifications

Mental Health staff views on improving burnout and mental toughness

Purpose- Burnout in mental health staff is acknowledged as a major problem. The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of mental health staff views on improving burnout and mental toughness in mental health staff. Design/methodology/approach-Ten participants from two mental health rehabilitation units across the North West of England took part in a Nominal Group Technique (NGT). Participants consisted of mental health workers from varied roles in order to capture views from a multidisciplinary team. The main question posed to the staff was “What strategies and techniques do you think could help improve burnout and mental toughness in mental health staff”. Findings- The study revealed that the top three ideas to take forward to help improve burnout and mental toughness in mental health staff were improving the culture/organisation, improving staff wellbeing and education. Additionally, staff were highly motivated and enthusiastic about engaging in discussion about what could be done to improve their wellbeing and the importance of taking this forward. Originality/Value- This study is unique in involving mental health staff in discussing their ways of improving their mental health. It is also unique as it has found the nine strategies to do this and these could be used in targeted training for mental health staff

Anterior knee pain subgroups: the first step towards a personalized treatment

Identification of subgroups within the patellofemoral pain (PFP) population has gained a lot of interest and attention from the research community in recent years due to the recognition of the relatively poor patient outcomes associated with the multimodal approach and following the success of subgrouping approaches used in the management of low back pain. This paper reviews early attempts at PFP subgrouping and introduces readers to some of the modern methodological approaches employed to derive subgroups. Summaries of the results of two research projects illustrating the use of these more robust methods to derive subgroups in the PFP population are provided. In conclusion, it appears there are probably 3 or 4 discrete subgroups within the PFP population that may require a more personalised approach to treatment. However, to date no definitive randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted to evaluate the potential benefits of targeted interventions for PFP subgroups in terms of improved patient outcomes so this warrants further research

Keep/refer decision making abilities and screening for serious pathologies as integral components of the physiotherapy education and profession: The perspective of Austrian physicians

Background: Over the last few years, several surveys examined the attitude of physiotherapists towards direct access, increased practice autonomy and the necessity to detect the presence of serious pathologies. Objective: To gain insight into the attitude of Austrian physicians towards Austrian physiotherapists taking more responsibility when making clinical decisions. Method: In autumn 2017, an online survey was distributed by e-mail among 1000 general practitioners and 395 orthopaedic surgeons working in private practice in Austria. Results: 76 general practitioners (7.6%) and 40 orthopaedic surgeons (10%) completed the survey. 90% of responding general practitioners and 68% of participating orthopaedic surgeons believe that Austrian physiotherapists should make autonomous keep/refer decisions. Conclusion: Study participants are overwhelmingly positive towards Austrian physiotherapists taking an advanced level of practice autonomy and make independent keep/refer decisions

The Duality of Technology: ICT as an enabler and inhibiter in Business Process improvement

The improvement of business processes often depends on ICT, which can either facilitate or impede improvements. Yet it is not clear though to what extent ICT enables or inhibits business process improvement and what factors can explain this effect. Orlikowski’s duality of technology underscores the socio-historical context of technology and the dual nature of technology, as objective reality and as socially constructed product. In this article the duality of technology is used as the theoretical lens to analyze the interaction between ICT and business improvement using two case studies. Factors show the duality of technology by having an enabling or inhibiting effect depending on the situation. Some factors were found that can have either an enabling or inhibiting effect and this effect was found to be dependent on the context. This stresses the need for situational-specific understanding and taking into account the context

Use of thoracic ultrasound by physiotherapists: a scoping review of the literature

Background Use of diagnostic thoracic ultrasound (TUS) in medical professions to examine the pleura, lung parenchyma and diaphragm is gaining in popularity, however the ways in which physiotherapists are using TUS is unclear. Objective The aim of this scoping review is to gain an understanding of the emerging evidence base surrounding physiotherapy use of TUS to inform research and clinical practice. Data Sources A systematic search was conducted of the following databases: Cochrane, EPPI centre, PROSPERO, Medline, CINAHL, AMED, EMBASE, HMIC, and BNI. Study Selection Inclusion criteria: primary research reporting the use of diagnostic TUS; a physiotherapist as part of the study design or as the chief investigator; published in English. Synthesis Methods Data regarding demographics, design, type of conditions and anatomical structures investigated and profession leading the TUS of included papers were compiled in a tabular format. Results Of the 26 included papers, 9 studied healthy participants, 4 studied COPD and 4 studied critical care patients. Most papers (n=23) involved scanning the diaphragm. In 8 studies the physiotherapist operated the TUS. Limitations The paper selection process was performed by one author; with no cross-checking by another individual. Conclusion Use of TUS by physiotherapists is an emerging area in both diaphragm and lung diagnostics. A wide range of patient populations may benefit from physiotherapists using TUS. Papers in this review are heterogeneous making any generalisability difficult but does show its potential for varied uses. TUS is an innovative skill in the hands of physiotherapists, but more research is needed. Funding: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR): Internship programme – no involvement Contribution of the paper: Thoracic ultrasound is gaining popularity amongst physiotherapists. The diaphragm is the most investigated structure by physiotherapists. Physiotherapists use thoracic ultrasound on a broad range of pathologies and patient populations

POWER UP: A Persuasive Writing Strategy for Secondary Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

In the area of written expression, students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) typically perform one to two grades below their same age, non-disabled peers. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on writing interventions to improve these outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a persuasive writing strategy called POWER UP to improve the quality of persuasive essays for secondary students with EBD. The results suggest that a mnemonic strategy based on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development Model (SRSD) can improve the quality of persuasive writing essays for secondary students with EBD