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Objective Indigenous women experience structural barriers to wellness rooted in colonialism and related socio-political processes, making participation in physical activity and access to balanced nutrition challenging. In response, a holistic wellness program was developed in Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada. Multiple program iterations have since been completed in urban and rural including reserve) settings across Alberta: in Onion Lake Cree Nation, in, Lloydminster, and in Calgary. The program includes physical activity, nutrition education, access to local healthcare support, and sharing circles to facilitate reflection. This article collates three years of qualitative data between programs to answer the question: "What does the program do?" Methods Between 2017 and 2019, 24 participants, four facilitators, and three community champions completed post-program interviews. mixed-methods, qualitative, two-part analysis was completed involving thematic analysis of transcripts followed by a structured consensus-building approach called nominal group technique (NGT). Results Collaborative analyses revealed that the program enables: 1) self-actualization through collective effort, including development of knowledge, skills, beliefs, and behaviours needed to manage one's own health, 2) improved personal wellness, and 3) access to social and cultural supports. Cultural relevancy and safety were identified as key elements in the context that supported these changes. Conclusion The wellness program for Indigenous women demonstrates positive impacts on the health and wellbeing of participants. Benefits naturally extend to participants' families, as well as to communities involved through capacity-building. Alongside the education and resources offered, the program environment also contributes to this positive impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Roads are an important conduit for the spread of invasive species. Road age is a key factor that could influence the susceptibility of roads to invasion as older roads are typically subject to higher cumulative levels of human disturbance and propagule pressure than younger roads. We investigated the effects of road age on the spread of non-native earthworms, which act as ecosystem engineers. 2. We sampled earthworms and habitat variables at 98 roads in the boreal forest of Alberta, Canada, to determine the influence of road age on non-native earthworm occurrence at the landscape level. The extent and rate of local spread were also assessed at seven sites adjacent to old and young roads. Generalized estimating equations and zero-inflated negative binomial regression were used to analyze landscape- and local-level results, respectively. We used our models to create maps that predict the current and potential future extent of earthworms in north-eastern Alberta. 3. Probability of earthworm occurrence and extent of spread increased as road age increased. Areas closer to agriculture and towards the south and west of our study area were also significantly more likely to be invaded by earthworms. 4. Our spread model indicated that approximately 9% of the boreal forest of north-eastern Alberta is likely invaded by earthworms currently. This is projected to increase to 49% of suitable forest habitat over the next 50 years as human development intensifies in this region. 5. Synthesis and applications. Although the effects of roads and linear features are commonly investigated in relation to native species, our results emphasize the importance of considering the impacts of linear feature creation on the spread of invasive species. We demonstrate that road age in particular can be an important factor affecting the spread of invasive species. In the boreal forest, reducing the number of roads being constructed, restricting traffic, and reclaiming temporary roads will be critical to reduce the future extent of earthworm invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population genetic studies can help to determine whether invasive species are established via single vs. multiple introduction events and also to distinguish among various colonization scenarios. We used this approach to investigate the introduction of Dendrobaena octaedra, a non-native earthworm species, to the boreal forest of northern Alberta. The spread of non-native earthworms in forested systems is not well understood, although bait abandonment and vehicular transport are believed to be important. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing revealed that multiple introductions of this species have occurred in northern Alberta, although individual populations may have been established by either single or multiple invaders introduced on one or more occasions. There was no relationship between genetic distances and either geographical distances or distances along road networks, suggesting that human-mediated jump dispersal is more common than diffusive spread via road networks or via active dispersal. As well, genetic diversity was significantly greater at boat launches than roads, indicating that multiple introductions may be more likely to occur at those locations. Focusing management efforts on areas where multiple introductions are likely to occur may help to reduce invasive species’ potential for adaptive evolution and subsequent rapid spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Shifts in diet composition, abundance or distribution of native predators can occur as a result of exotic prey introductions. We examined effects of non-native earthworms and anthropogenic landscape disturbance on habitat selection by the American robin ( Turdus migratorius), a generalist predator, at landscape and local levels. We also investigated whether robins could act as vectors of spread for earthworm cocoons (egg cases). Location Boreal forest of Alberta, Canada. Methods We conducted robin and earthworm surveys at campgrounds, well pads, roads, pipelines, seismic lines and forest interiors across northern Alberta. At a subset of paired locations that had similar habitats and anthropogenic disturbance levels, we sampled both robins and earthworms. Results Both groups were most likely to occur at campgrounds, well pads and roads. Furthermore, robins were more likely to occur at locations where earthworms were present in our paired local-level surveys. This correlation between robin and earthworm distributions could be due to robins acting as a vector for earthworm spread, rather than robins' use of earthworms as prey. However, in tests using captive robins, earthworm cocoons did not survive digestion. Main conclusions Robin and earthworm distributions were correlated, likely due to robins' use of earthworms as prey. These results suggest exotic prey can strongly influence native predators at both landscape and local levels, with shifts in native predator distributions occurring as a result of spatial variability in exotic prey distributions. Although the impacts of ecosystem engineering by earthworms have been previously demonstrated, our study provides evidence that effects of earthworms can also cascade upwards via trophic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonization, racism, and resulting policies have fractured familial and intergenerational relationships. For many Indigenous women in Canada, these forces continue to create socioeconomic inequality that play out in nutritional insecurity and lack of access to physical activity resources, in turn undermining overall wellness. Women Warriors (WW), an eight-week physical activity-based wellness program, was designed to support Indigenous women's efforts to increase physical activity levels, improve nutrition, and develop support systems for improved health. Notably, it offered access to exercise instruction and facilities that may have otherwise been inaccessible to participants. To evaluate the impact of the program, we completed a mixed method pre/post evaluation of four program sessions, from January to December 2016. The WW program resulted in increased weekly pedometer step counts, increased nutrition skill acquisition, and improved confidence in exercising as a group and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. The program also produced improvements in anthropometric measures and a reduction in blood pressure values. Participants developed positive social support systems and were introduced to health and social resources in their community. They reported appreciating that the program motivated them by way of accountability to others and offered opportunity to share experiences in sharing circles. The program identified barriers to health change, including lack of resources that support physical activity, healthy eating, and personal stress management. Participants recommended increasing the program's duration and intensity, enhancing the nutrition and health education offered, and increasing opportunities for socialization and relationship building. The WW program was well received and shows promise as a practical, community-based method to support Indigenous women interested in increasing positive health behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]