Exploring Indigenous youth perspectives of mobility and social relationships: A Photovoice approach

Abstract

AbstractGrowing rates of urbanization among young Indigenous populations have been associated with frequent geographic mobility between urban and rural areas, as well as within cities. Little is known of the context of this mobility, or its impacts on social relationships. With nearly half the urban Indigenous population under the age of 25, gaps persist in understanding the mobility experiences of Indigenous youth, who tend to be more mobile than non‐Indigenous youth and move more often than their older counterparts. The voice of Indigenous youth remains under‐represented, and research with mobile Indigenous youth is limited. To address these gaps, Photovoice was used to better understand how mobility shapes social relationships among a group of Indigenous youth living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Key findings reveal mobility is common and persistent, often rooted in colonization and intergenerational trauma. As a result, this mobility is often linked to unstable living conditions and displacement from family and social connections. The frequent and uncertain nature of this mobility impacts the ability to develop and sustain positive and supportive social relationships. Findings point to the importance of culturally safe spaces and Indigenous mentorship that fosters resilience and self‐empowerment.