MULTICULTURAL GENETIC COUNSELING WITH ALASKA NATIVE AND CANADIAN FIRST NATIONS CLIENTS Master’s Thesis Presented to Genetic Counseling Program, Department of Biology Brandeis University

Multicultural Genetic Counseling with Alaska Native and Canadian First Nations Clients A thesis presented to the Genetic Counseling Program Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts By Anke M. J. Kelly Over the past decade, the field of genetic counseling has become increasingly aware of the need for culturally informed genetic counseling for individuals from different cultures and ethnicities. However, there is very little information available regarding genetic counseling with North American Natives. The purpose of this study was to gather information about genetics professionals’ experiences regarding their genetic counseling sessions with Alaskan and Canadian Native clients. We recruited study participants via the NSGC listserv. We then conducted audiotaped phone interviews with twelve genetic counselors/nurses that work in Alaska or Canada and have experience counseling Northern Native individuals. Following transcription of the qualitative interviews, we used ATLAS.ti software to identify common themes among interviews. Respondents reported that their Native clients value their culture, families and rural communities. In terms of communication, they described their clients as reserved and quiet. Respondents also noted that, during sessions, it was hard to elicit factual and