Mi'kmaq Children's Perceptions on Education

Abstract

This research study entitled Building Healthy Mi'kmaq Communities in PrinceEdward Island is important because at the outset of the study, little or no researchhad been undertaken with the Mi'kmaq communities of PEI. The purpose of the studywas to focus primarily on the determinants of health. This article focuses oneducation and the Aboriginal community. Unique features of this study are theinclusion of children as informants, the use of a multidisciplinary team, and theactive involvement of the Mi'kmaq community in all stages of the project. Researchfindings have emerged in the form of descriptions of children's and youths'perceptions of health and descriptions of their own health behaviors. It is important tokeep in mind that all self-reported responses to questions are simplythat—self-reports. Results indicated that children are able to articulate needs andchallenges that they face in education and can recommend areas on which educatorscould focus.