Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Sociology

Supervisor

Shuey, K.

Abstract

This research focuses on the narrative surrounding Indigenous women by examining different knowledge sources – news stories and life stories, as they transpire within different knowledge spaces – non-Indigenous newspapers, the London Free Press and the Globe and Mail, and an Indigenous service delivery organization called Positive Voice. Drawing on an Indigenous aligned feminist mixed-methodological approach, this research had three main objectives: 1) to document and critically analyze the current mainstream narrative surrounding Indigenous women; 2) to understand the narratives Indigenous women share themselves in order to bring meaning to their experiences, from their own voices; and 3) to understand how service delivery might act as a thread between these diverging sources of representation. Methods included a critical thematic narrative analysis of 289 newspaper articles, 15 in-depth interviews with Positive Voice participants and other persons involved with the program, and a brief examination of program material. Several overarching findings were identified. First, the narratives surrounding Indigenous women and the mainstream news spaces that produce them continue to reflect non-Indigenous and Western cultural memories of Indigeneity. Second, although the narratives that interview participants shared in some ways reflected these Western cultural memories, they were shared within a context of change and strength. In particular, the Positive Voice women’s life stories reflected self-reflection and insight, with Positive Voice representing a transition in how the women understood and approached themselves and their narratives. Finally, it became clear that Positive Voice functioned as a space of resistance and disruption to mainstream narratives and dominant knowledge processes. In conclusion, Positive Voice became a space for challenging mainstream narratives and for exploring personal identity through sharing, listening, and teaching within a comfortable and safe space.

Summary for Lay Audience

Working with an urban Indigenous program called Positive Voice, this research examines the stories that surround Indigenous women. It focuses on the stories that are told about Indigenous women in two mainstream newspapers– the London Free Press and the Globe and Mail, and the stories that Indigenous women tell about themselves and Indigenous women generally. It stemmed from the understanding that mainstream representation of Indigenous women tends to be negative. This research has three main objectives: 1) to document and critically analyze the current mainstream narrative surrounding Indigenous women; 2) to understand the narratives Indigenous women share from their own voices; and 3) to illustrate the role of service delivery within these representations. I analyzed 289 newspaper articles, conducted 15 interviews with Positive Voice participants and other persons involved with the program, and examined program material. Several overarching findings were identified. First, the newspapers tend to produce non-Indigenous representations of Indigenous women and people generally. Second, when given the opportunity, Indigenous women’s stories illustrate strength, change, and insights towards their experiences. Finally, Positive Voice as a program challenged common sense ideas surrounding processes of knowledge production and representation by becoming a safe and relevant space for urban Indigenous women. In conclusion, Positive Voice became a space for challenging mainstream narratives and for exploring personal identity through sharing, listening, and teaching within a comfortable and safe space.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Download

Share

COinS