The Forest of Resilience: Indigenous Elder Perspectives on Grandfamilies, Culture, and Wellbeing

This review explores American Indian Elders' experiences and perspectives related to Grandfamilies and presents factors contributing to maternal mortality in Montana. We interviewed 12 Elders from reservation and urban locations in Montana who shared stories about being an Elder, stories about Grandfamilies, and stories about premature causes of death in their communities. Elders discussed gaps in existing resources, silos in programs, pervasive drug and alcohol abuse, limited housing, poverty, transportation barriers, and the need for greater education. These challenges were balanced by solutions like historical resilience,
traditional parenting practices, cultural traditions and ceremonies, grief and loss support, support for
grandparents raising grandchildren, kinship systems, and Indigenous values and teachings. Our findings
underscore the concept of a Healing, Resilient Forest. They may interest Tribal communities, governmental agencies, prevention programs, culture-based programs, parenting programs, K-12 schools, colleges,
economic and policy organizations, and others working to address premature death in American Indian
communities. We begin this paper by reviewing relevant literature, what happened to the forest, and why we are exploring maternal mortality and Grandfamilies. Next, we present our methodological approach, results, recommendations, and implications for future work with Tribes, Tribal organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and communities.