Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

In a recent collaboration with a Manitoulin Isl. First Nations (FN) health services center, intimate partner violence (IPV) was identified as a community-wide issue associated with acute injuries and chronic issues such as anxiety and depression. Although data on IPV in Indigenous communities is lacking, provincial and regional studies show Indigenous women experience higher rates of IPV, when compared to non-Indigenous women. Despite this, little research has focused on IPV in Indigenous communities and, in particular, little research has been devoted to Indigenous women's perspectives on IPV. I suggest that, for Indigenous women living on-reserve, the most appropriate way to better understand this issue is through a community-based participatory research, strengths-based approach, one designed to break the cycle of IPV and move toward the restoration of balance in relationships, according to Indigenous worldviews. Working with Debajehmujig Storytellers (an Indigenous theater company on Manitoulin Isl.) and Manitoulin Isl. FN health services centers and community members, we used a visual arts research method to stimulate discussion among Indigenous women on strengths they see in their communities regarding healthy relationships and families, strengths that might counteract IPV. These discussions occurred once a week; each focus group addressed a different theme (i.e. resilience, balance, responsibility) selected by participants. The themes informed visual arts shared by participants and guided the conversation of the focus group. Each session was filmed and videos that shared the stories and perspectives of the participants were created. The research contributed to a greater understanding of IPV, from the perspectives of Indigenous community members. In turn, we hope that this will increase awareness and dialogue in the community and serve as a step toward community-based solutions to IPV and understanding the role of primary care in addressing IPV.