Two‐Eyed Seeing as a strategic dichotomy for decolonial nursing knowledge development and practice

Abstract

The profession of nursing has recognized the need for contextual and relational frameworks to inform knowledge development. Two‐Eyed Seeing is a framework developed by Mi'kmaw Elders to respectfully engage with Indigenous and non‐Indigenous knowledges. Some scholars and practitioners, however, are concerned that Two‐Eyed Seeing re‐instantiates dichotomized notions regarding Western and Indigenous knowledges. As dichotomies and binaries are often viewed as polarizing devices for nursing knowledge development, this paper explores the local worldviews in which Two‐Eyed Seeing emerged, proposing that the onto‐epistemological and axiological ‘roots’ of the framework are antithetical to divisiveness, paradoxically asserting space for the dichotomy to stand. Two‐Eyed Seeing, if understood as a relational, decolonial praxis, could fundamentally change the way nursing scholarship and practice operate by facilitating space for diverse knowledges, ways of being, doing and relating. In this paper, considerations for nursing scholarship and practice, as well as recommendations to support the uptake of Two‐Eyed Seeing are explored. The authors assert that conceptual divisiveness, dichotomization and exclusion can be mitigated if nursing is informed by contextual knowledge, seeks to enact accountable partnerships with Indigenous knowledge holders, and holds the Mi'kmaq worldview upon which the concept developed in positive regard.

An integrative review of racism in nursing to inform anti‐racist nursing praxis in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…Addressing underrepresentation in the nursing and tertiary education workforce is crucial to eliminating racism and the health disparity gap (Brockie et al, 2023;Came et al, 2022;Cooper Brathwaite et al, 2021;Curtis et al, 2019;Wilson et al, 2022). Consequently, by valuing the contribution of Indigenous and racially minoritised nurses, and particularly honouring Indigenous knowledge systems, enables advocacy and the transformation of health and wellbeing of local communities (Hunter, 2019;Kidd et al, 2020;McFadden et al, 2023;Wiapo & Clark, 2022;Wilson et al, 2022).…”

“…The lack of urgency and commitment from apathetic nursing leadership holds racist structures in place (Brockie et al, 2023;Cooper Brathwaite et al, 2023). By developing critically reflective practices and openly examining beliefs, unconscious biases, and stereotyping provides the opportunity to attend to the challenges of racism and discrimination (Bell, 2021;Hickey et al, 2022;Kelly & Chakanyuka, 2021;Kidd et al, 2020Kidd et al, , 2021McFadden et al, 2023;Talamaivao et al, 2021;Weitzel et al, 2020;Wilson et al, 2022).…”

“…Commitment and action to authentic partnership with considered power sharing to achieve equity are fundamental to anti-racist praxis (Came et al, 2022;Iheduru-Anderson, 2020;McFadden et al, 2023).…”

“…As an anti-racism strategy, tertiary education programmes should work in partnership with cultural content experts who have lived experience (Bell, 2021). Further, the necessity to ensure all nurses in practice, education, and leadership have access to Indigenous knowledge systems, including cultural principles and practices, needs to be consistently applied (Kidd et al, 2020;McFadden et al, 2023;Wilson et al, 2022). Van Bewer et al ( 2021) specifically reported on an anti-racism framework, utilising theatre-enabled critical dialogue, collective analysis, and reflection that responded to and provided nurses and nurse educators with the tools to reimagine race and confront racism within their practice.…”

A Holistic Approach to Early Relational Health: Cultivating Culture, Diversity, and Equity

“…In this vein, providers are called to decolonize and revitalize their thinking and engage in holistic practice with cultural humility. A complex concept without a precise definition, holistic care has been referred to as "the heart of the science of nursing" [10,11] (p. 91). For the purposes of this paper, a holistic approach is based on a mutual understanding of infants, families, and communities' cultural contexts, strengths, needs, perspectives, and factors that impact their ERH.…”