Research
Speaking with the Silenced
Indigenous women are over-represented within the Canadian correctional system and federal prisons. Despite representing just 4% of the Canadian female population (Arriagada, 2016), Indigenous women accounted for 41.4% of all federally incarcerated women in the 2018-2019 fiscal year (OCI, 2019).
Research Gaps
To date, there is limited evidence on Indigenous women’s sexual, reproductive, and maternal child health experiences and health indicators prior to or during incarceration. National surveillance efforts on maternal healthcare experiences have excluded incarcerated Indigenous women and gender diverse peoples (Leason, 2017; PHAC, 2009). Many incarcerated women are mothers (Paynter et al., 2019), however prison pregnancy and reproductive health statistics are not publicly available (Paynter et al., 2020).
There is an urgent need to conduct research on sexual, reproductive, and maternal-child health data, to inform policy and action.
A thought... an idea, Followed by prayer, hope, dream, or an intention... Infuses the idea or thought with spirit and creation. The spirit invokes emotion. The emotion is put into action... and realized within the physical world.
Project Goals
I.
Conduct collaborative research
Conduct collaborative research through interdisciplinary and multisectoral teams with Indigenous and allied researchers, Knowledge Keepers, healthcare providers, national advocacy organizations (Canadian Elizabeth Fry Society: CAEFS; Native Women’s Association of Canada: NWAC), Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), and academic institutions (UCalgary, McMaster, Lakehead U, UManitoba, SFU, USask, Dalhousie U)
II.
Explore the context
Explore the context and connection of gender, wellness, and trauma in relation to sexual, reproductive, and maternal child health of incarcerated Indigenous participants
III.
Generate evidence
Generate evidence on sexual, reproductive, and maternal child health of incarcerated Indigenous women through a scoping review, quantitative and decolonizing qualitative (arts-based) methods
IV.
Drive equity-informed innovation
Inform equity-informed innovation through knowledge translation activities such as sharing of arts-based expressions of incarcerated women’s health, as well as identifying policy priorities and options to address incarcerated Indigenous health disparities and inequities
Answering Questions
Conduct collaborative research
- What information is collected by CSC on incarcerated Indigenous women’s sexual, reproductive, and maternal child health?
- What are incarcerated Indigenous women’s sexual, reproductive, and maternal child experiences, needs, strengths and priorities as they relate to gender, wellness, and trauma?
- How can we address unmet needs in sexual, reproductive, and maternal child health for incarcerated Indigenous women?