Human Studies and Interdisiplinarity - Doctoral Theses

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Browsing Human Studies and Interdisiplinarity - Doctoral Theses by Subject "Aboriginal"

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    Differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution in Sudbury.
    (2017-04-12) Walicki, Bernadette
    This study identifies differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution in Sudbury, Ontario using an Indigenous Research Paradigm. A sample of twelve women engaged in street prostitution were interviewed using the Prostitution Questionnaire developed by Dr. Melissa Farley of Prostitution Research & Education. Additional questions of regional and cultural relevance were added. A comparison group of nine marginalized women without experience in prostitution was also interviewed with an abbreviated interview tool. The results indicated that Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution differed from non-Aboriginal women in the following areas: stronger desire for the legalization of prostitution, more experience with discrimination, more physical assaults, higher alcohol consumption, more criticism from others about alcohol consumption, stronger desire to reduce alcohol consumption, more prolonged substance use, stronger desire for treatment of substance use, family with residential school experience, more interest in deepening cultural connections, more active within their faith, greater contact with family and more trusting relationships. Like Aboriginal women engaged in prostitution, Aboriginal women with hardships differed from non- Aboriginal women with hardships in their family experience with residential schools, in being more active within their faith and having greater contact with family. Furthermore, Aboriginal women with hardships also had more family and friends living in a First Nations community, had lived in a First Nations community at some point and had more knowledge of Aboriginal teachings. Additional results outside of identified differences were also included to help define the local populations. The findings, in relation to Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution, are discussed within the context of historical antecedents, community development and political policies.
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    A First Nation model of Mishkauziwin [strength; resilience] : the revitalization of family/clan identity in an Anishnaabe family of Northwestern Ontario.
    (Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2015-07-08) Wenger-Nabigon, Annie E.
    This thesis uses a family-directed approach to study the topic of resilience through an extended Anishnaabe family’s perceptions of their mishkauziwin [strength; resilience] as they strive to revitalize their family/clan identity. The interdisciplinary/qualitative/indigenist study braids together complementary ways of research from indigenous knowledges and the Western academy in a participatory framework. The perceptions of participants in studies on resilience are often sidelined, as are aspects of Aboriginal realities often missing from mainstream views of resilience in Aboriginal contexts. The perceptions of research participants in this study are the core-organizing feature of the research as they look at their relationships, traditional practices, and indigenous knowledge. The study contributes significantly to Anishnaabe communities and individuals as well as expands the body of knowledge on the topic of resilience in general. The study examines systemic issues impacting the lived experiences of participants, reviews the topic of historical trauma as it relates to the family participants, inquires into cultural identity issues, and works to comprehend the ecological view in Aboriginal contexts. The themes, patterns and metaphors of resilience from an Anishnaabe family’s perceptions serve to clarify significant findings about mishkauziwin, illustrating the process of restoration of family/clan identity as that of a strength based process which carries with it significant protective factors. The work together reaffirmed the value of a knowledge study emerging from the ground up as contrasted with top down approaches. Some aspects of the revitalization pro cess can be viewed as a grieving process, indicating that mishkauziwin means strength for healing and is the impetus for forward movement despite colonization and historical trauma. Mishkauziwin is evident in the connections within and between families, in aspects of spirituality, clan roles, cultural traditions, survival, and love. Themes of restoring lost identity through connections to each other and their land, language, and traditional culture are evident. Clan identity and the family revitalization are embedded in these processes, as are other protective factors, such as education, and spiritual and cultural factors, which modulate the effects of loss. This confirms findings of other research on resilience in Aboriginal contexts, and gives direction for future research.