Exploring the Intersection of Interpersonal and Structural Violence in the Lives of Indigenous Women from the Mi’gmaq Community of Listuguj: A Partner-Centered Qualitative Study

Abstract

Indigenous advocacy groups and their allies continue to denounce violence against Indigenous women in Canada, emphasizing that the ongoing impacts of colonialism further sociocultural inequalities leading to violence. While various reports have shown that these women still face discrimination, few studies have investigated the experiences of this population in Quebec and examined the intersection of interpersonal and structural violence in their lives. This is an important area for exploration, as many governmental and non-governmental resources offered to survivors of violence are not adapted to the realities of Indigenous women. The aim of this article was to understand the violence and help-seeking experiences of Indigenous women from the Mi’gmaq community of Listuguj, in the Canadian province of Quebec. This partner-centered qualitative study explored the life narratives of ten participants from Listuguj to highlight the types of interpersonal violence endured and the barriers to their help-seeking process. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with nine women and one man who had experienced violence in any form. Transcribed interviews were coded and thematically analyzed. Findings show that participants understood the family and domestic violence experienced in relation to their kin, as they discussed intergenerational trauma and gender roles. Results also suggest that structural violence was a major barrier to obtaining support. This study has important implications for service delivery for Indigenous survivors of violence in Quebec and elsewhere, as it supports claims for the provision of culturally safe social, health and community resources.