Although Indigenous scholars have been documenting Indigenous research methodologies, little has been written on the practical considerations of doing research across Indigenous/Settler contexts. As a small social work research team (two Cree researchers and one Settler) exploring Indigenous aging, our work crossed several contexts: academic and community, social locations within the team, and epistemes. Centering the research on an Indigenist, anti-colonial framework allowed us to highlight and correct for colonial power dynamics throughout the project. By enacting Indigenism together, we found that Indigenous and Settler researchers can create a space of deep learning and knowledge co-creation with communities. However, this work was challenging, risky, and at times difficult. Learning to navigate some of these complexities required ongoing attention to our relational accountabilities. We detail lessons learned from each of our perspectives, concluding with implications, community obligations, and directions for future research.
This qualitative study introduced the "Manitoba First Nation Strengthening Families Maternal Child Health Pilot Project" program and evaluation methodologies. The study provided a knowledge base for programmers, evaluators, and communities to develop relevant health promotion, prevention, and intervention programming to assist in meeting health needs of pregnant women and young families. Sixty-five open-ended, semistructured interviews were completed in 13 communities. Data analysis was through grounded theory. Three major themes emerged from the data: interpersonal support and relationships; socioeconomic factors; and community initiatives. Complex structural, historical events compromise parenting; capacity and resilience are supported through informal and formal health and social supports.
RÉSUMÉLe rapport final de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada (2015) a souligné la nécessité de soutenir l’autodétermination des Autochtones pour remédier aux séquelles des pensionnats. Cependant, la recherche sur le vieillissement autochtone demeure dominée par les colons. Dans le cadre de cette étude indigéniste menée par une équipe de recherche comprenant des Cris et des colons, des aînés autochtones ont été interrogés pour connaître les éléments qui seraient nécessaires, selon eux, pour le soutien du bien-être des personnes âgées de leurs communautés. Les aînés ont affirmé que la guérison des survivants âgés passe par la reconnexion avec les savoirs culturels que les pensionnats ont cherché à éradiquer. En renouant avec leurs rôles traditionnels dans la transmission des connaissances, les personnes âgées soutiennent non seulement leur propre guérison, mais aussi celle de toute leur communauté. Cette compréhension de la nature profondément interrelationnelle des communautés autochtones implique que le bien-être des personnes âgées dépend de la réappropriation de leur identité culturelle, mais aussi de leur rôle en tant que transmetteurs intergénérationnels de savoirs.
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