Multi-Domain Subjective Wellbeing of Two Canadian First Nations Communities

This exploratory study analyzed the subjective wellbeing of people living on reserves in two Canadian First Nations communities. Community members themselves identified key domains of wellbeing and contributing factors, and helped specify models linking overall wellbeing, domains' satisfactions and contributing factors. Households' data collected through a structured questionnaire were used to estimate wellbeing models. The social, cultural, and land use (SCLU) domain was found to be the most important contributor to wellbeing, and SCLU factors contributed to all other domains'-Education, Employment, Income, Health, and Housing-satisfactions. The study opens new paths for exploring the local meaning of wellbeing.