Mookii Mikinack: Traditional Road to Healing for Indigenous Women who Experienced Sexual Exploitation
Tammy Nelson, MSW, RSW | September 22 | 11:45 AM-12:45 PM
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Advanced
The sexual exploitation of Indigenous women and girls has historical implications from early settler contact in Canada. Indigenous women have been the targets to break down a nation of people and build the backbone of Canada through patriarchal policies and laws that continue to oppress and marginalize Indigenous people (Stevenson, 2011). They have experienced and continue to experience many forms of abuse, violence, discrimination, and racism because these forms of oppression are deeply rooted in Canada's colonial structures (Razack, 2000). The research question that guided this study is: How do Indigenous ceremonies and teachings contribute to the healing needs of sexually exploited women? 10 Indigenous women took part in a time commitment that included gathering on four days during the research process to explore how traditional Indigenous teaching and ceremonies could help in their healing journeys. Data gathering was comprised of multiple recorded talking circles, participatory research engagement through relationship, and one-on-one interviews. The findings shed light on the importance of how 1) Indigenous epistemes contribute to the healing needs of women who experience sexual exploitation, 2) the complexities involved in healing, 3) the critical role of ceremonies in preventing this form of violence, and 4) the development of support and therapeutic programming based on traditional ceremonies and teachings. This presentation concludes with policy recommendations focusing on decolonization, survivor engagement policies, social work recommendations, decolonizing curriculum, decolonizing social work practice and theory, non-judgmental social work practice, and centering Indigenous methodologies within mainstream research and academia.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of the study, include Indigenous approaches to research, methods, methodologies, and findings
· Provide implications and recommendation based on the research that supports decolonizing social work practice and research within and for Indigenous populations