Toward Mitho-pimatisowin: A Framework for FNMI Engagement Through Relationality

Abstract Indigenous Peoples have experienced harm from colonial beliefs and practices, and one does not need to look beyond the current systems of public education to see evidence of this. This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) provides a challenge to the conservative, neoliberal, and Eurocentric orthodoxy that is pervasive in one northern Saskatchewan context, and advocates for a need and a framework to reorient our learning community so that First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students and partners see relevance and feel engaged with our organization, thereby producing more positive educational outcomes. With 80% of students identifying as FNMI, and the surrounding community reflecting this demographic, culturally relevant concepts are necessary to guide organizational change. Relationality has been identified as essential for many FNMI peoples, so the local Cree concept of mitho-pimatisowin, meaning one’s necessity to acknowledge and respect all relations and to accept responsibility for them (Cardinal & Hildebrandt, 2020; Settee, 2011), is a key concept to direct and measure the existing organizational climate and change initiatives, and to prioritize the creation and maintenance of strong relationships between all partners who serve our students and the surrounding community. In support of mitho-pimatisowin, an emphasis on team and inclusive leadership will operate through a social constructivist lens so that all our partners can begin to construct meaningful alliances and understandings within a critical paradigm. An emphasis on enhancing our organizational relationships will ensure a culture of collective efficacy is developed, and this will re-center Indigenous worldviews and epistemologies so that they work in collaboration with Western approaches, thereby improving relations and FNMI student engagement. Keywords: Mitho-pimatisowin, Indigenous, psychological safety, education, social constructivism, inclusive leadership, team leadershi

Persistent circulating unmetabolised folic acid in a setting of liberal voluntary folic acid fortification. Implications for further mandatory fortification?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ireland is an example of a country that has extensive voluntary fortification with folic acid. After a public consultation process, in 2006, the Food Safety Authority in Ireland FSAI <abbrgrp><abbr bid="B1">1</abbr></abbrgrp> recommended mandatory fortification. However due to safety considerations this decision is now on hold. Before mandatory fortification goes ahead, existing levels of unmetabolised folic acid and their anticipated increase after fortification needs investigation because of the potential of folic acid to mask pernicious anaemia and possibly accelerate the growth of existing cancers. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of circulatory unmetabolised folic acid in Irish adults (both fasted and un-fasted) and new-born infants (fasted) before the proposed implementation of mandatory folic acid fortification. A secondary aim was to predict the increase in circulatory unmetabolised folic acid levels after fortification.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>Study 1</it>. Setting: Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS). Whole blood samples were collected from blood donors (n = 50) attending for routine blood donation sessions (representing the general population). Subjects were not fasted prior to sampling. <it>Study 2</it>. Setting: Coombe Women's and Infant's University Hospital, Dublin. Whole blood samples were collected by venipuncture from mothers (n = 20), and from their infant's umbilical-cords (n = 20) immediately after caesarean section. All women had been fasted for at least 8 hours prior to the surgery. A questionnaire on habitual and recent dietary intakes of folic acid was administered by an interviewer to all subjects. The data collection period was February to April 2006. Serum samples were analysed for plasma folate, plasma folic acid and red cell folate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Blood Donor Group</it>: Circulatory unmetabolised folic acid was present in 18 out of 20 mothers (fasted) (CI: 68.3%–99.8%) comprising 1.31% of total plasma folate, 17 out of 20 babies (fasted) (CI: 62.1%–96.8%), and 49 out of 50 blood donors (unfasted) (CI: 88.0%–99.9%), comprising 2.25% of total plasma folate,</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>While the levels of circulatory unmetabolised folic acid reported are low, it is persistently present in women immediately after caesarean section who were fasting indicating that there would be a constant/habitual exposure of existing tumours to folic acid, with the potential for accelerated growth. Mandatory fortification might exacerbate this. This has implications for those with responsibility for drafting legislating in this area.</p