“If You Fall Down, You Get Back Up”: Creating a Space for Testimony and Witnessing by Urban Indigenous Women and Girls

Authors

  • Elizabeth Cooper University of the Fraser Valley
  • S Michelle Driedger University of Manitoba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2019.10.1.1

Abstract

Historical trauma and the negative effects of colonialism continue to be played out within Canadian culture. These processes have a deleterious effect on physical and psychological health outcomes among Indigenous Peoples. Through the creation of a safe space as part of a decolonizing, participatory activity program spanning 7 weeks, First Nations and Metis women and girls (aged 8-12) were able to begin to unpack what it means to be happy, healthy, and safe, and what is needed to actualize these goals. A community engaged, asset-based workshop approach provided a forum for participants to discuss the impact of traumatic experiences on the ability of adults to model a positive image of strength, independence, and confidence for their daughters, while creating a space to discuss change.

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Published

2019-01-14

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2019)

Section

Research

License

Copyright (c) 2019 Elizabeth Cooper, S Michelle Driedger

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