Brave spaces: Indigenous children in Canada plan for a different tomorrow

Abstract

When considering the impacts of historical trauma and colonization upon the lived realities of Indigenous young people within Canada, it is essential that research uses strengths-based, capacity building approaches to ensure that the voices are heard and that their perspectives and advice can be actioned. A series of participatory workshops with adults and children were conducted within urban geographies to explore health seeking behaviours, health knowledge, and community resiliency. Research took place in Manitoba, Canada (2015-2016, n=36 girls and 24 adults) with First Nations and Métis community members and British Columbia, Canada (2017, n=11 children and 15 adults) with Métis community members. Children participated in community transect walks, photo elicitation activities, discussion circles (with adult participant contribution), and projected community mapping exercises where they drew their ideal, imagined community. Community consensus processes were used for member checking as well as initial evaluation of research findings including the establishment of key themes. Field notes, discussion transcripts, and images were analyzed for similarities and differences between ages, genders, cultural identifiers, and geographies. A key finding was the need for safe spaces that can also be brave spaces, or moments when community can be free to push for change without reprimand. Children were particularly concerned with sustainable, appropriate housing, safe methods of transportation, access to green spaces, and environmental stewardship within their day-to-day lives.
 Novelty Bullets:
 Brave spaces are essential for achieving/maintaining wellness within Indigenous communities.
 Responds to a need to shift to a determinants of life focus.

A Systematic Methods Review of Photovoice Research with Indigenous Young People

“…As such, we have identified the 16 articles that reported Indigenous personage among their authors (Aparicio et al, 2021; Banyard et al, 2020; Edwards et al, 2022; Faircloth et al, 2016; Genius et al, 2015; Goodman et al, 2018; Hatala et al, 2020; Helm et al, 2015; Hudson et al, 2020; Jennings & Lowe, 2013; Johnson et al, 2020; Jones et al, 2013; Lines & Jardine, 2019; McHugh et al, 2013; Sloan Morgan et al, 2022; Young et al, 2013) to allow our readers to assess where Indigenous perspectives on Photovoice’s effectiveness may be present. Twenty studies did not report on their authorship composition (Cooper, 2022; Cueva et al, 2020; Goodman et al, 2019; Hanemaayer et al, 2022; Jardine & James, 2012; Jennings et al, 2020; Johnston et al, 2012; Kaplun et al, 2016; Kelly, 2017; Liew et al, 2022; Markus, 2012; Minthorn & Marsh, 2016; Philip et al, 2022; Savuro et al, 2022; Shea J et al, 2011; Tremblay et al, 2018; Uchima et al, 2021; Victor et al, 2022; Weinronk et al, 2018; Williamson et al, 2020), and one study reported authorship without any Indigenous identification (Hayhurst et al, 2015).…”

“…Most studies used Photovoice qualitative methodologies only (Aparicio et al, 2021; Banyard et al, 2020; Cueva et al, 2020; Edwards et al, 2022; Faircloth et al, 2016; Genius et al, 2015; Goodman et al, 2019; Hanemaayer et al, 2020; Hatala et al, 2020; Hayhurst et al, 2015; Helm et al, 2015; Hudson et al, 2020; Jardine & James, 2012; Jennings & Lowe, 2013; Jennings et al, 2020; Johnson et al, 2020; Johnston et al, 2012; Kelly, 2017; Liew et al, 2022; McHugh et al, 2013; Minthorn & Marsh, 2016; Savuro et al, 2022; Shea J et al, 2011; Sloan Morgan et al, 2022; Tremblay et al, 2018; Weinronk et al, 2018; Williamson et al, 2020; Young et al, 2013). A small number used mixed methods (Cooper, 2022; Lines & Jardine, 2019; Markus, 2012; Philip et al, 2022) (Goodman et al, 2018; Jones et al, 2013; Kaplun et al, 2016; Lines & Jardine, 2019; Uchima et al, 2021; Victor et al, 2022).…”

Decolonizing research in high-income countries improves Indigenous peoples’ health and wellbeing

“…Ten research articles are included in the collection, all which have free access (Blanchet et al 2022;Blekkenhorst et al 2022;Cooper 2022;Ferreira et al 2022;Ironside et al 2021;McKay and Godrich 2021;McEachern et al 2022;Robidoux et al 2021;Senftleber et al 2021;Valaitis et al 2022; the main collection page can be accessed here: https://cdnscience pub.com/topic/apnm-strength-based). These articles discuss health research with Indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and Greenland, high-income countries where Indigenous peoples have experienced European colonialism.…”

“…These articles discuss health research with Indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and Greenland, high-income countries where Indigenous peoples have experienced European colonialism. One article presents a current opinion of Indigenous women's worldview of food-related research in Canada (Ferreira et al 2022), five articles address a diversity of decolonizing health promotion research in Canada (Blanchet et al 2022;Cooper 2022;McEachern et al 2022;Robidoux et al 2021;Valaitis et al 2022), one article describes the relationship between social determinants and physical activity among Indigenous adults in Canada (Ironside et al 2021), two review articles summarize health interventions in Australia (Blekkenhorst et al 2022;McKay and Godrich 2021), and one review article describes the role of genetics and lifestyle changes on metabolic health in Inuit in Greenland, since colonization (Senftleber et al 2021). Most articles have Indigenous authors to ensure an Indigenous perspective.…”

“…Most articles in the collection exemplify community-based participatory research (CBPR) (Blanchet et al 2022;Cooper 2022;Ironside et al 2021;McEachern et al 2022;Robidoux et al 2021;Valaitis et al 2022). CBPR is a decolonizing research approach where researchers and community members are partners in the research process.…”