Participatory Action Research with a Group of Urban First Nations Grandmothers: Decreasing Inequities through Health Promotion

Abstract

Inequities experienced by Aboriginal people in Canada due to residual effects of colonization and assimilation are evident; research is needed focusing on positive strategies for health and healing in urban settings. Participatory action research (PAR) is identified as an appropriate method of research for engaging collaboratively with Aboriginal people. This study involved seven First Nations grandmothers in a small urban community in Alberta, Canada. The grandmothers linked personal health with family and community health, and practiced health promotion through maintaining cycles of support between themselves, their families, and communities. These grandmothers recognized their invaluable roles as leaders in health promotion in families and communities. The collective knowledge of Aboriginal grandmothers has potential to affect health inequities on a broader scale.

Art as a transformative practice: A participatory action research project with trans* youth

“…As demonstrated in other PAR studies with marginalized communities in Canada (e.g. Ginn and Kulig, 2015;Riecken et al, 2006;Sakamoto et al, 2009), PAR researchers view marginalized people not only as research participants but as individuals who hold important knowledge and skills that offer innovative solutions to the problems they face.…”

“…Stereotypes, for instance, are products of such constructed meanings and shape the public image of trans* people. While trans* people are often invisible in mass culture, when they are visible, their representations “reflect the biases and interests of … (mostly) white, (mostly) middle-aged, (mostly) male, (mostly) middle- and upper-middle class, and entirely heterosexual (at least in public)” (Gross, 1991: 190). Such problematic representations are essential in controlling the availability of resources for marginalized groups like trans* youth and maintaining the power of the ruling elites (Hall, 1997; Lull, 2011).…”

Exploring Métis health, spirituality and well-being: a patient-oriented community-based qualitative study with the Métis Nation of Alberta – Region 3

“…In April 2019, we engaged with this working group of community members, informal and elected leaders, and an Elder in participatory coding and theme development. 24,25 All survey data were laid out on a large table on separately printed pieces of paper. Participants picked up written statements that held the most meaning to them, discussed why and placed them in piles, developing themes.…”

What Does Being a Settler Ally in Research Mean? A Graduate Students Experience Learning From and Working Within Indigenous Research Paradigms

“…I felt I needed a methodology that was less demanding of the participants’ time. In attempts to define the research process from a Western perspective, participatory action research (PAR) has been used by many Settler Ally researchers (Castleden, Consolo, Harper, Martin, & Hart, 2016; Ginn & Kulig, 2015; Ninomiya & Pollock, 2017). Participatory action research engages communities in directing and controlling any or all aspects of the research process.…”