Metis women gathering: Visiting together and voicing wellness for ourselves

• Published in: AlterNative : an international journal of indigenous peoples Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 55 - 63
• Main Authors: Flaminio, Anna Corrigal, Gaudet, Janice Cindy, Dorion, Leah Marie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Auckland, N.Z SAGE Publications 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Attitudes; Community development; Evaluation; Health promotion; Indigenous peoples; Methodology; Métis women; Wellness research approaches; Community-engagement; Métis women; Métis methods; Indigenous methodology
• ISSN: 1177-1801; 1174-1740
• DOI: 10.1177/1177180120903499

Given the limited research by Metis women, and with Metis women, this article focuses on the impact of Metis women gathering for the purpose of sharing Metis women's knowledge. The aim of our research is to learn Metis women's perspectives, specifically the ways in which gathering and visiting together affects our wellness. The geographical focus was specific to kinship systems along the South Saskatchewan river, near St. Louis, Saskatchewan. This land/river place was chosen given our shared family connections to this area. We applied Metis-specific research methodologies, epistemologies, and pedagogies, including the importance of gathering with Metis women in our homes and on our land. Our community-engaged and visiting methodology included mixed-methods, such as participant engagement, evaluation forms, ceremony, gatherings, semi-structured interviews, and learning-by-doing. The research demonstrates that through Metis women visiting, gathering, and sharing Metis women's cultural and spiritual knowledge, Metis women experienced a greater sense of wellness. The findings focus on key themes, including (a) Importance of Metis women gathering together; (b) Visiting is changing; (c) Learning-by-doing and kinship; (d) Metis women's gatherings, community, and wellness; (e) Metis-specific spaces to share stories; and (f) Pride in Metis women's identity.