Methodology
With the broader goal of this project being to understand the experiences of incarcerated Indigenous women, we are utilizing several methods to achieve this. These include:
I.
Interdisciplinary and Multisectoral Research Planning
II.
Scoping Reviews
III.
Quantitative Research
IV.
Qualitative: Decolonized and Arts Based Research
In collaboration with CAEFS, Knowledge Keepers, and project collaborators, our team will develop arts-based workshops that are guided by Indigenous and decolonizing methodologies. Research questions aimed at identifying the reproductive, sexual, and maternal-child health experiences and needs of incarcerated Indigenous women will be created and integrated into these workshops, as well as one-on-one interviews and sharing circles. Once pilot-tested and validated, we aim to hold these workshops with participants both within federal institutions and in communities. Our team is hoping to engage both currently and formerly incarcerated Indigenous women to gain a broader understanding of their perspectives on sexual, reproductive and maternal-child health needs in prisons.
Themes from these workshops, interviews, and sharing circles will be identified using thematic content analysis (TCA). TCA will identify underlying phenomena, relationships among the themes that emerge, and the context(s) in which they occur (Lincoln & Guba, 1985) to help inform policy. Upon completion of the TCA, a presentation on findings will be provided to participants, CSC Knowledge Keepers, Elders and CSC staff at each participating institution to share participant art, key research findings, priorities, and recommendations. A validation of research findings will be conducted in partnership with CSC, CAEFS and the advisory committee.