Changing the narrative from the inside: A look at how strength and narrative based service delivery can function as a space of resistance for Indigenous women

This research focuses on the narrative surrounding Indigenous women by examining different knowledge sources – news stories and life stories, as they transpire within different knowledge spaces – non-Indigenous newspapers, the London Free Press and the Globe and Mail, and an Indigenous service delivery organization called Positive Voice. Drawing on an Indigenous aligned feminist mixed-methodological approach, this research had three main objectives: 1) to document and critically analyze the current mainstream narrative surrounding Indigenous women; 2) to understand the narratives Indigenous women share themselves in order to bring meaning to their experiences, from their own voices; and 3) to understand how service delivery might act as a thread between these diverging sources of representation. Methods included a critical thematic narrative analysis of 289 newspaper articles, 15 in-depth interviews with Positive Voice participants and other persons involved with the program, and a brief examination of program material. Several overarching findings were identified. First, the narratives surrounding Indigenous women and the mainstream news spaces that produce them continue to reflect non-Indigenous and Western cultural memories of Indigeneity. Second, although the narratives that interview participants shared in some ways reflected these Western cultural memories, they were shared within a context of change and strength. In particular, the Positive Voice women’s life stories reflected self-reflection and insight, with Positive Voice representing a transition in how the women understood and approached themselves and their narratives. Finally, it became clear that Positive Voice functioned as a space of resistance and disruption to mainstream narratives and dominant knowledge processes. In conclusion, Positive Voice became a space for challenging mainstream narratives and for exploring personal identity through sharing, listening, and teaching within a comfortable and safe space

JST Editorial: Social Problems, Social Solutions

This editorial is an introduction to the second published volume of the Journal for Social Thought (JST) written by Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Elgie and Deputy Editor Rachelle Miele. We first offer some thoughts on social change as an elusive, and often contentious, goal within sociology, and within academia more broadly. We then present an overview of this special issue Social Problems, Social Solutions by outlining the contributions of two papers that seek to demonstrate how theory can be used to understand social problems and work towards social change

JST Editorial: Social Problems, Social Solutions

This editorial is an introduction to the second published volume of the Journal for Social Thought (JST) written by Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Elgie and Deputy Editor Rachelle Miele. We first offer some thoughts on social change as an elusive, and often contentious, goal within sociology, and within academia more broadly. We then present an overview of this special issue "Social Problems, Social Solutions" by outlining the contributions of two papers that seek to demonstrate how theory can be used to understand social problems and work towards social change

Developing Ethical Research Practices Between Institutional and Community Partners: A Look at the Current Base of Literature Surrounding Memorandums of Understanding in Canada

Few institutionalized examples exist wherein Indigenous communities have participated in the co-development of ethics initiatives. This article explores one such process—the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). A MOU is a document created between institutional and community research partners to outline project guidelines. Based on Canadian MOUs developed between 1980 and 2016, this research has four objectives; (a) to describe current trends of MOU use and recognition in research; (b) to describe the challenges of collaborative research and how MOUs might mitigate them; (c) to understand if a standard MOU is feasible; and (d) to offer policy suggesting for implementing MOUs. Local MOUs mark a way for engaging in good research practices that actually benefit the involved community