scholarly journals Towards Transformational Research for and with Indigenous Communities: The New British Columbia Indigenous Child Welfare Research Network

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-164
Author(s):  
Sandrina de Finney ◽  
Jacquie Green ◽  
Leslie Brown
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Child And Family Services ◽  
Indigenous Child

This article documents the development of the newly launched Indigenous Child Welfare Research Network in British Columbia. This Network is a provincial association of researchers, service providers, community members and policy makers with an interest in using Indigenous research in the transformation of child and family services. Rooted in a vision for healing and the inclusion of diverse voices, Network Initiatives seek to reclaim Indigenous ways of knowing and doing and reposition them at the core of child and family wellness initiatives. The Network provides a space for critical dialogue about Indigenous research, as well as opportunities for researched-related training, knowledge transmission and resource sharing.

scholarly journals Voices of Students: We are Here! We are Ready to Care for the Next Generations! “Gathering & Sharing Wisdom Conference” and the Indigenous Child Welfare Research Network

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Jacquie Green ◽  
Rebecca Taylor ◽  
Rakiva Larken ◽  
Margaret Brier ◽  
Trevor Good
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Indigenous Youth ◽  
Indigenous Child

This paper highlights the voices of four youth presenters at the first "Gathering and Sharing Conference" hosted onCoast Salish Territory, Songhees and Esquimalt, in Victoria, British Columbia. You will be guided through story about our role as leaders, planners, and facilitators for this conference which was convened to provide a central space for Indigenous youth and other community members to share stories about the caring and nurturing of our children, families and communities.

scholarly journals Indigenous Child Welfare in Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Christian Zukowski
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
Social Reproduction ◽  
Nation Building ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Canadian Identity ◽  
Indigenous Child

This paper is primarily a case study of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case Caring Society v Canada and seeks to accomplish three things. First, create a theoretical foundation built upon historic instances of discriminatory/assimilationist policies based upon theoretical understandings of social reproduction, biopolitics, and neoliberalism. Second, to situate Caring Society within said theoretical framework for the purpose of determining the context in which it occurs and the role of the case's context in producing discriminatory/assimilationist policy. Third is the application of both the theoretical framework as well as Caring Society to determine how the Canadian state engages in nation building through processes of othering and framing Indigenous peoples as a foreign threat to the security of the Canadian identity. In doing so, I not only argue that Indigenous child welfare is the perpetuation of residential schools, but that it systematically breaks down Indigenous children and Indigenous communities in response to their perceived threat through processes of othering and nation-building.

scholarly journals Meenoostahtan Minisiwin: First Nations Family Justice "Pathways to Peace"

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-88
Author(s):  
Joe Pintarics ◽  
Karen Sveinunggaard
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Child And Family Services ◽  
Family Services ◽  
Nations Child

Community justice initiatives are now common in Canada, both for young offenders and in adult criminal cases; there are only a few examples of alternative methods for dealing with justice issues in the area of mandated child welfare services. The initiative outlined in this paper represents one of the most comprehensive family justice initiatives in First Nations Child and Family Services in Canada. Meenoostahtan Minisiwin: First Nations Family Justice offers a new way of addressing conflict in child and family matters, outside of the regular Child and Family Services (CFS) and court systems. It incorporates the traditional peacemaking role that has existed for centuries in Northern Manitoba Cree communities, alongside contemporary family mediation. The program brings together family, extended family, community members, Elders, social workers and community service providers in the resolution of child protection concerns through the use of properly trained Okweskimowewak (family mediators). The Okweskimowewak’s role involves assisting participants to articulate their personal ‘truth’ (dabwe) and to hear and respect the dabwe of others; to create a safe and nurturing context by addressing inherent power imbalances; to explore the root causes of family conflict in order to address the long term best interests of children; and to facilitate innovative and collaborative planning outcomes for families. The program was developed by the Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba, a mandated First Nations Child and Family Services agency, although it receives its services mandate from the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Exectuive. It is jointly funded by the Aboriginal Justice Strategy of Justice Canada and the Manitoba Department of Family Services and Housing. Overall direction for the program is provided by the First Nations Family Justice Committee, a sub-committee of the MKO Exectuive Director of Awasis Agency, and representative chiefs of the MKO region. The program currently employs a Program Coordinator, two full time regional Okweskimowewak, two full time community-based Okweskimowewak and an administrative assistant. Since its inception in 1999, the program has received referrals involving more than seven hundred families, including well over 1900 children and 1500 volunteer participants. Services have been provided in seventeen First Nation communities in Northern Manitoba as well as in Thompson, Winnipeg, The Pas, and Gillam. The Meenoostahtan Minisiwin program responds to all aspects of mandated child welfare, as well as other situations where the best interests of children are in jeopardy. These have included mediating care placement arrangements; child-parent conflicts; family-agency or family-agency-system conflicts; assisting in the development of service plans in neglect and abuse cases; advocating on behalf of families attempting to access services; family violence; larger community-wide conflicts; and working to address systemic problems which impact the lives of First Nations children and families. We believe that by establishing processes which focus on restoring balance and harmony within families and communities, we are working towards an overall increase in the health and wellness of community members. And you who would understand justice, How shall you, unless you Look upon all deeds In the fullness of light? Only then shall you know that the erect And the fallen are but one man standing in The twilight between the Night of his pigmy-self And the day of his god-self. K. Gibran

scholarly journals An Application of Two-Eyed Seeing: Indigenous Research Methods With Participatory Action Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 160940691881234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Peltier
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Research Paradigms ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Indigenous Paradigm

In this time of reconciliation, Indigenous researchers-in-relation are sharing research paradigms and approaches that align with Indigenous worldviews. This article shares an interpretation of the Mi’kmaw concept of Two-Eyed Seeing as the synthesis of Indigenous methodology and participatory action research situated within an Indigenous paradigm of relevant, reciprocal, respectful, and responsible research. Two-Eyed Seeing is discussed as a guiding approach for researchers offering Indigenous voices and ways of knowing as a means to shift existing qualitative research paradigms. The author offers practical considerations for conducting research with Indigenous peoples in a “good and authentic way.” Through the co-creation of knowledge with Indigenous communities, a collective story was produced as a wellness teaching tool to foster the transfer of knowledge in a meaningful way.

scholarly journals Thunderbird Women

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Fayant
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Women ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Medicine Wheel ◽  
Indigenous Feminism ◽  
Indian Act ◽  
Governmental Institutions

Indigenous gender roles have been distorted by colonialism, both through imposed systems of patriarchy and redefining gender roles within Indigenous communities. In Canada, the Indian Act of 1857 initiated a system of patriarchy which resulted in the loss of matrilineal family lines and Indigenous women’s rights to represent their community in leadership roles. This system still exists today, and despite numerous attempts to modify the law, the Indian Act still exerts patrilineal bias on Indigenous communities. In spite of this, there exists a large volume of research and literature by Indigenous women which investigates Indigenous feminism and the agency of Indigenous women in their communities. Examples include the writings of Sherry Farrell-Racette (Farrell-Racette 2010), Lee Maracle (Maracle 1996), Beverly Singer (Singer 2001) and Carol Rose Daniels (Daniels 2018) as well as online campaigns such as Rematriate (Rematriate 2018). Moreover, many Indigenous women in Canada are now stepping forward to address patriarchal systems in Indigenous institutions, such as the Assembly of First Nations, and outdated laws favouring male representation over female in meeting with governmental institutions. My research considers decolonization methods in relation to Indigenous feminist perspectives in research practice. Through an Indigenous research paradigm based on the teachings of the Indigenous Cree medicine wheel, this paper aims to decolonize homogenous forms of research by promoting Indigenous women’s knowledge. The medicine wheel in Indigenous teachings is a philosophy and a practical method of interpreting the physical, mental and transcendental domains. For research purposes, the medicine wheel offers a unique representation of Indigenous epistemology, ontology, axiology and methodology for use in research. Furthermore, following decolonial theory and Indigenous methodologies this research investigates the intersections of Indigenous feminism in decolonizing knowledge production and dismantling paternalistic affects in educational institutions. Including Indigenous approaches to listening, participation and storytelling as opposed to standardized interviews, as well as observation and document analysis, this thesis opens space for generating community-based definitions of Indigenous feminism. Focusing on the Canadian context, Indigenous women in Saskatchewan possess a vast amount of traditional knowledge and ways of knowing which have been devalued since the enforcement of the Indian Act. One vital way of Indigenizing cultural revitalization is by reclaiming Indigenous women’s epistemologies as a means of decolonizing gender roles and negating the impacts of the Indian Act.

scholarly journals First Nations Children Count: Enveloping Quantitative Research in an Indigenous Envelope

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Blackstock
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Rich Diversity

Indigenous peoples repeatedly call for disaggregated data describing their experience to inform socio-economic and political policy and practice change (United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 2003; UNICEF, 2003; Rae & the Sub Group on Indigenous Children and Youth, 2006). Although there has been significant discourse on the destructive historical role of western research with Indigenous communities (RCAP, 1996; Smith, 1999; Schnarch, 2004) and more recently on cultural adaptation of qualitative research methods (Smith, 1999; Bennet, 2004; Kovach, 2007), there has been very little discussion on how to envelope western quantitative social science research within Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This paper begins by outlining the broad goals of Indigenous research before focusing on how quantitative research is used, and represented, in the translation of Indigenous realities in child health and child welfare. Given the rich diversity of Indigenous peoples and their knowledges, this paper is only capable of what respected Indigenous academic Margo Greenwood (2007) would term “touching the mountaintops’ of complex and sacred ideas.

scholarly journals Symbols and Strategies: Acts of Métis Resistance - Using the List of Rights as a Framework for the Reclamation of Indigenous Child Welfare in British Columbia and Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-95
Author(s):  
Daleen Adele Thomas
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Social Regulation ◽  
Indigenous Child ◽  
Current State ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Cultural Resiliency

This article engages the reader in comparing the Métis List of Rights, originally authored by Louis Riel, with the current state of Indigenous child welfare in British Columbia and Canada. The relationship between children’s resiliency and cultural resiliency is explored. Using a critical lens, a framework defining the progression of social regulation is presented. This paper begins by setting out the framework with its accompanying nine aspects: profit, competition, self-interest, justice, rights, duties, love, compassion and devotion. The discussion acknowledges children as sacred which allows us to move beyond conservative and socialist ideals. Then there is a discussion on the aspects of the Métis List of Rights with comments respecting the symbolic and literal application of the aspects to reclaiming Indigenous child welfare. Finally the article ends with recommendations for holistic pathway for reform.

scholarly journals Creating a Canadian Indigenous Research Network Against Cancer to Address Indigenous Cancer Disparities

2020 ◽  
pp. 92-98
Author(s):  
Angeline Letendre ◽  
Gail Garvey ◽  
Alexandra King ◽  
Malcolm King ◽  
Reg Crowshoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Cancer Surveillance ◽  
Cancer Prognosis ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
National Network

PURPOSE In Canada, Indigenous peoples’ cancer rates have increased, but cancer screening rates tend to be lower. When coupled with poor cancer prognosis, treatment barriers, and inaccessible health care, Indigenous patients with cancer experience many unmet needs. Further complicating their journey is a multijurisdictional system that complicates cancer control services, treatments, patient supports, and cancer surveillance. To address these issues, the Canadian Indigenous Research Network Against Cancer (CIRNAC) was developed. This article describes the forerunners and consultative process that created the network and the consensus model developed to ground this network with, by, and for Indigenous peoples. METHODS A consultative workshop was held to (1) establish and increase network membership, (2) enhance partnerships with Indigenous communities and other researchers, and (3) develop an Indigenous-led research program, new funding, and related initiatives. RESULTS Participants viewed the CIRNAC as a reflective parallel network led by Indigenous peoples that would identify research priorities within Canada, assess how these priorities align with Indigenous patients’ cancer care and research needs, and cross-check to see if these priorities align with each other. The network would also advocate for Indigenous elders/knowledge holders and community grassroot processes to drive research and training, thus demonstrating the power of the community voice and lived experience in research. In addition, the network would foster research partnerships to investigate alternative Indigenous models for cancer prevention, care, treatment, and support. CONCLUSION The CIRNAC evolved as a viable vehicle to address cancer with, for, and by Indigenous peoples. The network is guided by a preamble, a set of aims, and an inclusion engagement circle model. It is evolving through major world initiatives, with the aim of formally becoming an internationally linked national network.

scholarly journals Research as Cultural Renewal: Applying Two-Eyed Seeing in a Research Project about Cultural Interventions in First Nations Addictions Treatment

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Hall ◽  
Colleen A Dell ◽  
Barb Fornssler ◽  
Carol Hopkins ◽  
Christopher Mushquash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
First Year ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Cultural Renewal ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Cultural Interventions

This article explores the application of two-eyed seeing in the first year of a three-year study about the effectiveness of cultural interventions in First Nations alcohol and drug treatment in Canada. Two-eyed seeing is recognized by Canada’s major health research funder as a starting point for bringing together the strengths of Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. With the aim of developing a culture-based measurement tool, our team carried out an Indigenous-centred research process with our interpretation of two-eyed seeing as a guiding principle. This enabled us to engage in a decolonizing project that prioritized Indigenous methodologies and ways of knowing and knowledge alongside those of Western science. By concentrating on Indigenous governance in the research process, our project supported efforts at Indigenous cultural renewal. Two illustrations are offered, our team’s reconceptualization of Western derived understandings of data collection through Indigenous storytelling and our research grant timeframe with Indigenous knowledge gardening. This article contributes to the Indigenous research and policy literature which is lacking documentation about how Indigenous communities and research teams are benefitting from two-eyed seeing.

scholarly journals Editorial

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aileen Moreton-Robinson ◽  
Mark McMillan ◽  
David Singh
Keyword(s):  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Native Hawaiians ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Policy Statements ◽  
Indigenous Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Conducting Research

This edition testifies to the broad international reach of the journal, with contributions variously concerned with Arctic Indigenous communities, the Métis of Canada, Native Hawaiians and Māori of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Two articles stress the need to work collaboratively and respectfully with Indigenous populations whilst conducting research. The first, by Gwen Healey, notes the increased interest in health research in the Arctic, particularly with Inuit populations. Healy seeks to add to the growing body of literature concerned with Indigenous ways of knowing by highlighting Inuit concepts that inform an effective Arctic research model. The second, by primary author Peter Hutchinson and a range of co-contributors, highlights the ways in which Métis collaborators working in health developed a participatory Indigenous research method that was unique in that it foregrounded Métis relationships and relationality. In so doing, the researchers were able to give substance to otherwise staid policy statements about the need for good ethical research conduct.

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