Mobilizing the health benefits of being in nature through community-based participatory research and Indigenous engagement
Spending time in natural environments and nature-based programming is associated with significant health benefits. This is particularly important for Indigenous youth, whose mental health and well-being continue to be a priority for health care in Nova Scotia. Further research is needed to include youth perspectives and identify their experiences, needs, barriers and enablers for sustained participation.
This study engaged a group of Indigenous youth from Eskasoni Mi’kmaq First Nation in a photovoice project to better understand how nature and play can support conversations about mental health within communities, explore youth experiences of nature and nature-based programming and identify disparities in access and provision. The project was part of a larger study, Outdoor Health, exploring youth experiences and access to nature in Nova Scotia.
Methodology
Ten Indigenous youth from Atlantic Bridge Mi’kmaq Health Services were invited to participate in this photovoice project. They took photographs to document meaningful experiences in their daily lives, helping to co-develop the project, explore themes related to nature and well-being and identify recommendations for a youth-led action plan. Participants attended a training workshop covering the purpose of the study, ethical photography practices, consent procedures and camera use.
Participants then took part in group discussions to identify themes and ideas for photographs connected to nature, wellness and mental health. After taking and uploading photographs, they joined collaborative analysis sessions to discuss the meaning of the images and identify common themes. They were also invited to help plan ways to share their photographs and stories with policymakers, community leaders and the public through knowledge-sharing activities such as photo exhibitions.
Following the photograph-taking and collaborative analysis, youth were invited to help plan how their images and stories could be shared with policymakers, community leaders and the public, including through potential photo exhibitions.
Findings
The following findings were made from the full study:
The preliminary research found that nature and well-being were important to ABMHS students.
Indigenous youth who participated in the study believed there was an increased need for access to nature through community trails and programs that promote connection with nature.
There was greater interest in creating and hosting activities related to Mi’kmaq culture and cultural revitalization.
Impact
This project highlighted the impact and relevance of photovoice and nature-based programming for Indigenous youth in Nova Scotia. Such participatory and culturally grounded research approaches support mental health awareness, self-expression and overall well-being through open conversations with youth about their mental health.
Participating students developed greater awareness of mental health through the project’s conversations and photovoice activities.
Time on the land helped participants strengthen their connection with nature and its relationship to well-being.
Young people gained confidence in expressing thoughts, emotions and mental health experiences.
Outdoor play and nature-based activities offer opportunities for immediate mental health benefits.
Participants learned and practised nature-photography skills.
Project outreach
This project is intended to have province-wide applicability across Nova Scotia.
The photovoice approach also created a pathway for youth photographs and stories to be shared with policymakers, community leaders and the public through community-based knowledge-sharing activities.
Resources created
Presentation at the Recreation Nova Scotia Conference in October 2025.
A thesis is currently in development.
About the researcher
Sarah (Sali’j) Prosper is a Mi’kmaq/L’nu woman from Eskasoni First Nation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and is pursuing graduate studies in Leisure Studies at Dalhousie University, with interests in Indigenous approaches to healing, movement, land and community well-being.
An award-winning multidisciplinary movement artist and choreographer, Sarah’s work bridges community wellness, cultural expression and research, with a focus on creating opportunities for people to strengthen connections with themselves, one another and the land.
“This project benefited me to personally feel equipped and confident in my planned research. I was able to obtain good position in my research and felt equipped to strive for the completion of the research phase.”
Sarah Prosper
