Date of Award
January 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Indigenous Health
First Advisor
Shawnda Schroeder
Abstract
The Zaasijiwan Framework represents an Indigenized health communication model developed to enhance the cultural relevance, trust, and effectiveness of public health messaging for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This qualitative study integrated Indigenous and Western public health knowledge to inform the development of the framework. A comprehensive literature review and two rounds of key informant interviews with health communication professionals informed the design of the framework. Findings emphasized the importance of community co-creation and strengths-based narratives, along with other framework elements, in overcoming medical mistrust and improving health outcomes. The final framework offers public health professionals, Tribal, and Urban Native organizations a culturally grounded model to guide the development of health communication strategies that honor the sovereignty of Native people, amplify Indigenous ways of knowing, and promote the resilience of communities. This work addresses a critical gap in existing health communication theory and practice, providing a pathway for decolonizing health messaging efforts across Indian Country.
Recommended Citation
Wolf, Jennifer, "Zaasijiwan: An Indigenized Health Communication Framework For American Indian And Alaska Native Communities" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 7549.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/7549