Abstract

Dominant discourse contains an abundance of negative stereotypical images of First Nations males that are historically steeped in colonial issues. These images are locked in time and can influence both First Nations mens’ sense of self and health care providers’ practices. Using a strength-based perspective and the lens of Two-Eyed Seeing, this narrative study explored the identity of First Nations men living a balanced life in Toronto. Three First Nations men participated in two semi-structured interviews and Anishnaabe Symbol-Based Reflection. Findings indicate that their narratives of identity are focused on positive mindsets and resilience, and that positive First Nations identity is supported by having mentors, knowing family histories, and connecting with healthy Aboriginal communities. Implications of this research for nursing is the need to employ strength-based and postcolonial frameworks, and reflexive practices that reveal biases; this will facilitate nurses to resist racialized stereotypes and discrimination while promoting culturally safe care.

Highlights

  • IntroductionWhere are the positive stories about and images of Aboriginal men in Toronto?

  • I share the main foci of his narrative as related to his identity; this is discussed in relation to the symbol he chose to represent his identity

  • As a nurse working with the Aboriginal population in Toronto, I began to encounter other stories, positive stories, and I realized that the negative stories and caricatures portrayed in literature and media were frozen in time, they were static and unrepresentative of modern day

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Summary

Introduction

Where are the positive stories about and images of Aboriginal men in Toronto? From my nursing experience at a community health center for Aboriginal people where I worked with some of the Aboriginal population of Toronto I came to know many male Aboriginal clients and colleagues who do not look anything like the stereotypical images that are often portrayed. The Aboriginal community health centre where I worked is situated in downtown Toronto. Their mission is to “improve the health and well being of Aboriginal people in spirit, mind, emotion and body by providing traditional healing within a multi-disciplinary health care model (AHT, 2012, p.1)”. I found that many of my clients and colleagues were similar to other people in Toronto (with a significantly different history and ancestral culture), living the trial and error of life, and doing healthy things for their relationships, jobs, families, and communities

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