Indigenous Mentorship for the Health Sciences: An Appraisal of a Contemporary Model by Indigenous Stakeholders.

Construct: In 2021, Murry et al. put forward a model of Indigenous mentorship within the health sciences based on the behaviors of Indigenous mentors toward their Indigenous mentees. This study explored mentees' endorsements and/or criticisms of the IM model and how IM constructs and behaviors described in the model benefited them. Background: Models of Indigenous mentorship have been developed previously yet have not yet been empirically examined, restricting our ability to measure or make claims as to their consequences, correlates, and antecedents. Approach: Interviews with six Indigenous mentees asked about their: 1) resonance with the model, 2) stories related to mentors' behaviors, 3) perceived benefits of their mentors' behaviors on their journey, and 4) components they felt were missing from the model. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: Overall, the model resonated with participants. Mentees told stories about mentors engaging in the IM constructs practicing relationalism most frequently, followed by fostering Indigenous identity development, utilizing a mentee-centered focus, and imbuing criticality, advocacy, and abiding by Indigenous ethics. Benefits included improved career and work attitudes, motivation, and overall well-being, engaging in helping behaviors, and enhanced criticality. Recommendations to expand the model included incorporating: 1) additional mentor behaviors (e.g., transference of traditional knowledge), 2) higher-order dimensions (e.g., the impact of the institution), 3) specific mentee characteristics (e.g., age and gender), and 4) additional types of mentoring relationships (e.g., peer, multiple mentors). Conclusions: This study showed that Murry et al.'s model resonated with primary stakeholders (i.e., Indigenous mentees), that Indigenous mentorship behaviors have perceived consequences that are important for adjustment, and ways the model is limited or mis-specified. This information can inform mentor practices, selection and support, and program evaluation.