In the article “How place names impact the way we see landscape by B. Toasite, she explains to the readers how names give a special meaning to a landscape or an area. We can gain a unique perspective on the land and its significance to the indigenous people. We see how the colonization and the settlers were influenced by individual values rather than focusing on the true ownership more than the historical values behind it. Throughout the article it gives us a timeline of the indigenous peoples being patient and resistance. In the process of claiming the land is restoring the identity and history of the place. This can give people a way to relate to the landscape. I feel that it is important to have the landscape renamed because if it's on your land, it's a part of the community, and for it to be recognizable as something else is not showing that connection to the indigenous people. To have somewhere to go and feel connected to is always peaceful and nice for the mind. Additionally, it is beneficial for non-community members to visit these places and gain an understanding of the real history, so they have a sense of what it brings to the community.

Toastie B." How place names impact the ways we see landscape." High Country News Know The West, May 1, 2022.

In the article, they explained how Indigenous communities in the U.S. were hit harder by COVID-19 as a result of deep-rooted problems with healthcare, housing, and resources. In these communities, access to medical care and testing was limited. In the article, the author argued that Native Americans were challenged by their invisibility to the majority population. They talked about the data showing the experience and community support. The lives and knowledge of indigenous people were lost, and these communities wouldn’t be able to survive and thrive if their culture were lost. My connection to this story is being native, I can agree that many communities struggle during the pandemic, and so did my own community. We had gone into a lockdown, not seeing each other and not participating in any cultural ceremony. The pandemic affects many people in different ways. Many were grieving due to unemployment, and businesses were letting people go. Sickness is going around, other than COVID. Some communities had fewer resources to get water, food, and internet. People were experiencing an increase in mental health issues due to not being able to practice their culture and see family.  

“ Health services for Indigenous people are typically under-resourced, with language and culture appropriate” - Gurtie, Kaitlin, and Esther Choo.

Gurtie, Kaitlin, and Esther Choo. “ Indigenous populations: left behind in the COVID-19 response.” The Lancet, 2020, pp. 1389-1381. 

In the article, “People’s Brains Aged Faster During the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Gemma Conroy in the original skin magazine. Gemma displays that the brains of healthy people aged faster during the pandemic than did the brains of people analysed before the pandemic began. A study of almost 1,000 people suggests that accelerated ageing occurred even in people who didn’t become infected. The brain scans showed structural changes linked to faster ageing, especially in older adults, men, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, cognitive decline was seen only in people who actually had COVID-19. Some researchers suggest that pandemic-related stress, isolation, and lifestyle disruptions likely contributed to these changes. There were two groups: one had brain scans before and after, and the other had scans just after the pandemic. Nearly six months after the models predicted that the brains of people who lived through the pandemic had aged 5.5 months faster than those who had brain scans after the pandemic.  They also noted that more needed to understand what caused the ageing and whether it's long-lasting. In the article, I found it really interesting that the impacts of COVID-19 on the public. The ageing shows us that the isolation and the stressful environment could impact in many ways, which doesn’t include our impaired thinking or memory. It could still affect other parts of the brain that we don’t understand yet or know about. It’s important to take care of your physical health and mental health when participating in our daily activities. 

Contoy, Gemma. "People's Brains Aged Faster During the COVID-19 Pandemic." Nature Original Skin, 31 July 2025, PP. 1167-1168.

In this news article, the University of Arizona is partnering with Native tribes to help them overcome the combined effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many tribal families still struggle with severe water insecurity, often walking long distances to pump and carry groundwater, which makes basic needs difficult. Climate change has worsened these issues by disrupting water sources, damaging traditional food systems, and cultural practices.  The indigenous center at UA is helping install off- grid, solar-powered water systems. Including a system that harvests and treats rainwater. These projects are designed to help with sustainability. In the new video, I found it important because everyone was able to see the video, and it was shown on a higher level, so everyone could learn about the topic.  The struggles of environmental stability in Native communities have been ongoing issues. It’s important we do get those support systems to bring new ideas to help communities that are in need, and not to shy away from it. Being able to bring our community members together to overcome challenges together. To make us strong and bring our tradition and culture connections are even closer together. 

Ramirez, Jasmine. "UA Helping Native American Tribes Over Climate change, covin impacts” Copyright (C) 2025, 5 Nor. 2021, WWW.  Kold.com/2021/1105ua-nelping -native-american-tribes-overcome-climate change-covid-impacts/outputType=amp. 

In the article mental health of French university students during the COVID-19 pandemic was based on a study of a survey conducted of students' emotional levels.  The study highlights the high levels of depression, anxiety, and distress, and the psychological symptoms associated with the students. Many numbers were collected by the factors of whether students lived in the dorms, or who lived by themselves, and the results of these, which were linked to having a higher level of mental health than the average person.  The study found that the pandemic had a increased of psychological distress and wanted to support the student with mental health resources. In the study about the French students, I was able to see how the isolation, anxiety, and financial stress associated with the fear of the impacts on mental health. They want to have a supportive environment so the students can balance school and living through stressfulness environment. As a student myself during this time, I can feel a sense of empathy because we all went through the same thing, trying to help each other and stay connected as a community. 

Essadek A, Rabeyron T. Mental health of French students during the Covid-19 pandemic. J Affect Disord. 2020 Dec 1;277:392-393. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.042. Epub 2020 Aug 25. PMID: 32861840; PMCID: PMC7445153.

In the article Canada: Government of Canada announces mental health support for indigenous communities. It explains nearly $13 million for funding to help towards mental health services, which was created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding supports many projects that help individuals' well-being, cultural awareness, and education. Many programs also help support young indigenous in urban areas, with healthcare, education services, and their communities.  They are taking so many opportunities and initiatives to aim to improve the impacts of disproportionate systems, racism, and trauma, and provide healing and resilience. To be able to work together and promote culturally based wellness. As I read the article, I felt concerned about the deep impact of COVID-19 and its influence on the students and communities. The article surrounding the indigenous communities in Canada showed the concerns because many Indigenous people are supported. I like how many companies and programs went towards increasing their culture-based and education systems. They wanted to have a backbone for the youth to fall back on. They wanted the communities to find a better way to live and heal. They can have more influence on the communities to grow their knowledge and get the support they need. 

"Canada : Government of Canada announces mental health supports for Indigenous communities." Mena Report, 5 July 2023. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A755921176/AONE?u=nm_s_santafeis&sid=ebsco&xid=4237605c. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

In the study of examines of the psychological impact of COVID-19 on college students in China. The survey was based on a count of over 7,000 students, and about 25% was experiencing anxiety or depression during the pandemic.  The study had different levels of emotion to scale them on. Many numbers were collected by the factors of whether students lived in the dorms, with parents, parents who didn’t have a good financial background, or who lived by themselves, and the results of these, which were linked to having a higher level of mental health than the average person.  The study found that the pandemic had a confinement of increased of psychological distress and wanted to support the students with mental health resources because most of the students were diagnosed with some type of disorder related to Mental health issues. It was a support topic, and a lot of people, like the government and other programs, encouraged getting the students the help they needed and deserved.  As I read the article, I was able to connect to the study because going through the same situation made an impact of every one mental health.  During this time, it was overwhelming for many families experiencing hardship and trying to overcome grief. It was hard to have a sudden change in our daily routine, and to change. Everyone was impacted differently, which caused many people to feel a sense of loneliness or anxiety. Many communities were able to come together and help each other to get through this hardship and overcome challenges. 

Cao W, Fang Z, Hou G, Han M, Xu X, Dong J, Zheng J. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry Res. 2020 May;287:112934. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112934. Epub 2020 Mar 20. PMID: 32229390; PMCID: PMC7102633.