Browsing by Author "Voyageur, Cora Jane"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Moccasin Tracks: Reading the Narrative in Traditional Indigenous Craft Work
    (2018-04-30) Anton, James Wyatt; Voyageur, Cora Jane; Henry, Robert; Leason, Jennifer
    The colonization of Canada has produced deleterious effects for the First Nations peoples that originally inhabited the land. Through sharing stories with a number of First Nations craft producers the objective of this research was to capture the endurance of First Nations culture beyond the disastrous effects of colonization and repression faced by the First Peoples of this continent. This study investigates the production of craft goods in First Nations communities by building on the concept of the narrative embedded in the material craft culture. By narrative, this study refers to the culturally specific ways that stories are created and maintained to preserve elements of culture and society. Craft goods continue to be produced and used in these communities as a way of preserving and reproducing the specific tribal knowledges that exist within these groups. Data in this project comes from semi-structured interviews with Indigenous craft makers. The methodology was developed to confront the positionality of a non-Indigenous researcher pursuing research objectives in a First Nations community and with the aim to be mindful and mitigate the effects of social privilege and power in the analysis of the data. Interviews and notes were analyzed through a hybrid of narrative and thematic analysis. The themes emerging from preliminary analysis of the data fit within a theoretical framework that centres and privileges Indigenous experience and perspective. Themes include: spirituality, family, animals, social structure, and resistance. These themes contribute to a larger cultural narrative of relationality and endurance embedded in the Indigenous material craft culture being investigated in the research. Together, these themes offer a clearer vision of the First Nations perspective and what it means to maintain a distinct cultural identity under the ongoing campaign of colonization.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    “We Are Bridging That Gap”: Insights from Indigenous Hospital Liaisons for Improving Health Care for Indigenous Patients in Alberta
    (2020-06-30) Link, Claire MacKinnon; Voyageur, Cora Jane; Ducey, Ariel; Barnabé, Cheryl Carmelle Marie
    This thesis explores the insights of five Indigenous Hospital Liaisons working in Alberta Health Services hospitals to improve health care for Indigenous patients. Indigenous people in Canada often encounter difficulties and obstacles when accessing health care. Previous studies have described the negative experiences that many Indigenous people encounter within hospitals and other health care facilities. Limited research in Alberta prevents an understanding of context-specific barriers that may exist. Additionally, the insights of Indigenous Hospital Liaisons are a new area of research. These frontline employees work directly with Indigenous patients to help them navigate barriers and ultimately improve their hospital experiences. This research uses a strength-based approach to highlight the dedication that Indigenous Hospital Liaisons have to Indigenous patients and provide a more positive image of Indigenous people. In addition to pointing out barriers they believe are commonly encountered by Indigenous people in Alberta, the Indigenous Hospital Liaisons in this research highlight existing resources that can benefit Indigenous patients. They also share their suggestions for changes that may improve hospital experiences for Indigenous people. The findings of this research provide a welcome contrast to the mass of negative and often deficit-based research that dominates the Indigenous health literature and suggest a more positive and optimistic view of the future of health care for Indigenous people in Alberta. Specific recommendations are provided based upon the findings and suggestions for future research involving Indigenous Hospital Liaisons are discussed.