"A Community of People Worthy of the Name Community": The Engagement Practices, Wellness, and Self-Identity of Anishinaabe Young Women and Young Two-Spirit People of Eabametoong First Nation

This thesis explores the relationship between engagement, well-being, and self-identity for Anishinaabe young women and young two-spirit people living in Eabametoong First Nation (EFN). Guided by Community-Based Participatory Research and Indigenous Research Methodologies, I collaborated with contributors from EFN to understand the way engagement, well-being, and self-identity are interconnected. The contributors with whom I spoke contribute to the well-being of their community, and their engagement strengthens their self-identities and becomes a part of their well-being practices. Based on my analysis of interview, participant observation, and photovoice data, I argue that the contributors’ engagement activities are equally as important for maintaining well-being and strengthening self-identity, as well-being and self-identity are for inspiring engagement. Additionally, although contributors do not always see themselves as leaders, all of those with whom I spoke are using their skills and knowledge to serve their community in a way that is characteristic of Indigenous leadership practices.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Guelph

Author dc:creator

• Kirton, Samantha

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• McIlwraith, Thomas
• Levac, Leah

• Anishinaabe
• young
• women
• two-spirit
• engagement
• well-being
• wellness
• self-identity
• community
• political

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10214/21324

OAI record oai:identifier

https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Aatrium.lib.uoguelph.ca%3A10214%2F21324