Considering Silences in Narrative Inquiry: An Intergenerational Story of a Sami Family

Abstract

Through coming alongside a Sami family, we open spaces to contemplate multiple forms of silence. We argue that rather than the antithesis to narrative, silence is an integral part of narrative inquiry. As narrative inquirers we need to be wakeful to what is told and also untold, often simultaneously. We believe that narrative inquiry is not necessarily about breaking silences, but it is also about honoring silences, as well as the practice of silence. By calling forward one author’s intergenerational experiences, we explore different aspects of silence such as silence as text, silence as context for living and telling, and silences following silencing. We explore how we live with, and within, silences, and how our told and untold stories are shaped by silences and, in turn, also shape silences.

Indigenous Sami Family Caregivers’ Experiences With Accessing and Collaborating With Municipal Health and Care Services

“…Similar to other Indigenous peoples in other parts of the world, the Sami people has experienced and still experience the legacy of colonization and assimilation processes. While the older generations have the most direct and personal experiences of these policies and practices, the following generations, including the participants of this study, may be affected through the “colonial wounds” of their parents or grandparents (Blix et al, 2021). Moreover, our results indicate that subsequent generations may experience subtle forms of discrimination and disadvantages in society and in encounters with the public care services due to ignorance as well as lack of understanding and acceptance among persons of authority and other fellow citizens (Ness & Munkejord, 2022).…”

Pinhkngyan: paths taken to recognizing, doing and developing Indigenous methodologies

“…There are spaces in between—in the cultural interface” (p. 211). In line with this, Blix describes how becoming and being accepted as an insider in the Sámi community was a long and slow process of becoming for herself and her children—which required breaking silences across generations (Blix et al, 2021).…”

Activistic citizenship in nursing homes: co-ownership in the mundane

“…For example, no residents in any of the units were observed helping themselves to dinner; all were served by staff from the trolley or kitchen counter. In an article contemplating multiple forms of silence in narrative inquiry, Blix et al (2021) write that Sami children, in response to Norwegian assimilation policies, learned to story themselves as Norwegian, by silencing parts of who they were. They argue that this silencing was also a silencing of resistance.…”