Indigenous Mentorship in the Health Sciences: Actions and Approaches of Mentors

Abstract

Phenomenon : Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars have called for mentorship as a viable approach to supporting the retention and professional development of Indigenous students in the health sciences. In the context of Canadian reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples, we developed an Indigenous mentorship model that details behavioral themes that are distinct or unique from non-Indigenous mentorship. Approach : We used Flanagan’s Critical Incidents Technique to derive mentorship behaviors from the literature, and focus groups with Indigenous faculty in the health sciences associated with the AIM-HI network funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Identified behaviors were analyzed using Lincoln and Guba’s Cutting-and-Sorting technique. Findings : Confirming and extending research on mainstream mentorship, we identified behavioral themes for 1) basic mentoring interactions, 2) psychosocial support, 3) professional support, 4) academic support, and 5) job-specific support. Unique behavioral themes for Indigenous mentors included 1) utilizing a mentee-centered approach, 2) advocating on behalf of their mentees and encouraging them to advocate for themselves, 3) imbuing criticality, 4) teaching relationalism, 5) following traditional cultural protocols, and 6) fostering Indigenous identity. Insights : Mentorship involves interactive behaviors that support the academic, occupational, and psychosocial needs of the mentee. Indigenous mentees experience these needs differently than non-Indigenous mentees, as evidenced by mentor behaviors that are unique to Indigenous mentor and mentee dyads. Despite serving similar functions, mentorship varies across cultures in its approach, assumptions, and content. Mentorship programs designed for Indigenous participants should consider how standard models might fail to support their needs.