35-38 Although these relationships have not been examined in First Nations populations, the role of acculturation and multiple AEB071 nmr traumas may play a role in these relationships. Chandler and Lalonde highlight the role of cultural continuity as a protective factor against youth suicide in First Nations.39 Residential school survivors have been found to experience adverse outcomes such as poor mental health, substance abuse, and criminal activity.25 Although First Nations individuals have higher suicide Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical rates compared with other non-First Nations groups, these rates may vary depending on the community as well as individuals in the community. A study by

Bolton et al analyzed two American Indian samples and found that American Indians from Northern Plains and Southwest tribes were less likely to have suicidal thoughts as compared with the US general population.40 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical The authors also found that the Northern

Plains tribe had a greater likelihood of attempting suicide. Although some differences were found between tribes, overall American Indian samples were at greater risk for suicide attempts than the US general population. In another study examining suicidal behavior in First Nations, Mota et al investigated the correlates of suicidal Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical behavior among a Manitoba sample of First Nations adolescents.41 The goal of this study was to examine the individual, friend/family, and community/tribe correlates of suicidal behavior among on-reserve adolescents. The authors found that several factors were found to increase Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the likelihood of suicidal behavior including female sex, depressed mood, abuse or fear of abuse, hospital stay, and substance use. In this study, perceived community caring played a protective role, in that adolescents were less likely to engage in suicidal behavior if they perceived their community as caring, as determined by a combination of factors regarding Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical community life. Although further investigation is needed to understand the role of community

support and suicidal behavior in First Nations, these two studies suggest that the community may play an important role in understanding suicide, as well as the bereavement experience among some First Nations populations. The importance of culture in healing and resilience Despite the impact Gamma-secretase activity of colonization on Aboriginal peoples and collective traumas, Aboriginal cultures have endured.27 Understanding the role of healing and bereavement in Aboriginal populations necessitates the inclusion of cultural and healing traditions (Figure 1). Kirmayer investigates the symbolic aspects of healing among individuals of different cultures. Using metaphor theory, the author argues that one can understand the course of healing by examining metaphorical concepts.