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ABSTRACT
Increasing awareness of racist and discriminatory structures, such as education and the penal system, is fueling a need for leisure scholars to reconsider their approaches to research. This article encourages readers to consider an alternative approach to doing research; one that is founded upon respect, trust, balance, and fairness. This alternative approach is described by authors as relational ethics. The manuscript discusses reciprocity, flexibility, and a readiness to respond as a part of the ethical protocols that were used throughout a research project that explored the healing experiences and needs of Indigenous women in a prison located in Quebec, Canada. The discussion includes the engagement of Indigenous and decolonizing research methodologies, the inclusion of medicine pouch workshops as an act of reciprocity, and a description of how the project was transformed; specifically, through changes in the delivery of workshop content, participation protocols, workshop length, interview guide, and additional resources.
Résumé
La prise de conscience croissante des structures racistes et discriminatoires, telles que l’éducation et le système pénal, incite les spécialistes des loisirs à reconsidérer leur approche de la recherche. Cet article encourage les lecteurs à envisager une autre approche de la recherche, fondée sur le respect, la confiance, l’équilibre et l’équité. Cette approche alternative est décrite par les auteurs comme l’éthique relationnelle. Le manuscrit traite de la réciprocité, de la flexibilité et de la volonté de répondre dans le cadre des protocoles éthiques utilisés tout au long d’un projet de recherche qui a exploré les expériences et les besoins de guérison des femmes autochtones dans une prison située au Québec, au Canada. La discussion comprend le recours à des méthodologies de recherche autochtones et de décolonisation, l’inclusion d’ateliers de ballots de remèdes en tant qu’acte de réciprocité, et une description de la façon dont le projet a été transformé ; plus précisément, par des modifications dans la présentation du contenu de l’atelier, des protocoles de participation, de la durée de l’atelier, du guide d’entretien, et des ressources additionnelles.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual.
2. Medicine pouches are small sacred leather bags that are used carry traditional medicines such as tobacco, sage, and sweetgrass.
3. Sketchnotes are a form of drawing-based note-taking (Rohdes, Citation2013). In addition to privileging alternative ways of knowing, we deliberately choose this approach to offer a transparent and accessible method of capturing the information shared during the workshop. The women in the workshop could see Brittany creating the Sketchnotes and had the opportunity to change, delete, and add to the images during the workshop and the interviews.
4. Residential schools were publicized by the Canadian government as noble efforts to prepare Indigenous children for Canadian society− to educate and to give them a future they would otherwise lack. Couched within a mission to ‘civilize’, children in residential schools experienced severe punishment for speaking their language, living their spirituality and cultural traditions, and seeking out family. As reported by the Truth and reconciliation of Canada (Citation2015), these schools were a major contribution to the cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples. More than 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis children were removed from their communities and forced to adopt Christianity and speak English or French. Sexual, physical, and emotional abuses were not uncommon.
5. French is Quebec’s official language. However, as evidenced in this research, most Indigenous peoples in Quebec speak English more fluently than French as either a first or second language. The majority of the workshops were facilitated in English, with some French and Inuktitut translations provided by facilitators and participants alike.
6. Similar to a Polaroid, an instant camera that uses self-developing film.
7. Feasts are a significant life component for many Indigenous peoples. While the tradition and ceremony differ from nation to nation, feasts generally provide an opportunity to give thanks, respect, and honour all those who have helped and given support (e.g. ancestors, members of the community, other entities). Engagement in feasts also help give strength and nourishment to life and spirit. For more information, please see Anishnawbe Health Toronto (Citation2000).
8. Pseudonyms, which were chosen by the women, are used to help maintain confidentiality.
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Notes on contributors
Felice Yuen
Felice Yuen is Canadian-born Chinese and a professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. Her work focuses on community development, leisure, and healing. The focus of her research centers on Indigenous women who have been implicated in the criminal (justice) system.
Brittany Weisgarber
Brittany Weisgarber is currently a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with Nova Scotia Health. In addition to her clinical role, her research interests include healing practices, recidivism, and community reintegration for justice involved persons. Her connection to this work stems from experience and relationships with justice involved family members.
Wanda Gabriel
Wanda Gabriel is a citizen of the Kanehsatake/ Kanieke:hake community. Professionally she is a social worker and healing facilitator. With close to 30 years’ experience working with residential school survivors, victims of sexual assault and intergenerational trauma. Her approach to helping is drawn from an Indigenous model of healing, trauma informed practice and social work theories. She calls this, Walking in 2 worlds work.