Indigenous Fathers in Canada

Abstract

This chapter provides a broad perspective on the experiences of Indigenous fathers within the Canadian context, illustrating growing recognition among investigators of the need to examine diversity as well as commonalities among different populations of fathers. The chapter describes lasting impacts of colonial policies, ongoing social exclusion and economic disempowerment, and personal factors that create persisting challenges for Indigenous boys and men to successfully navigate the transition to fatherhood. Indigenous fathers’ experiences resonated with other groups of fathers who seek to “turn around” negative multigenerational patterns in their own lives but also in society as a whole. The findings suggest five key areas for strategic actions to: balance overwhelming negative media about fathers’ roles with positive media; address the mother-centric nature of many child and family support programs; increase paternity identification on children’s birth, health, school, and child welfare records; implement policies to improve overall living conditions of populations of men living on the margins; and recognize that established patterns of family relations take time and require patience on the parts of those who wish to support positive change.