Title: Indigenous Masculinity and HIV Disclosure Aim/Objective: The goal of this this research project is to explore how self-regulation of a masculine identity is impacted by colonization in the context of HIV disclosure for Indigenous men. Specific objectives under this goal include the following: (1) Understanding Indigenous men’s ideas about Indigenous masculinity; (2) understanding how Indigenous men come to understand the impact of colonization on their masculine identity; and (3) understanding how colonization affects Indigenous men’s experience of HIV disclosure. Methods: This project adopts an Indigenous directed process consistent with principles of community-based research (CBR) and driven by decolonizing and Indigenous methodologies. Following an examination of relevant literature, six Indigenous men living with HIV were interviewed to discuss the significance of Indigenous masculinity in the context of HIV wellness and HIV disclosure. The findings from the literature review and interviews were coded within NVivo qualitative analysis software to compare emerging themes. Findings: Following a discussion of the several aspects of Indigenous masculinity, the participants described the hinderances of colonization and stigmatization in disrupting healthy practices and conceptualization of Indigenous masculinity. Throughout the journey of healing, a process of deconstructing western ideals was necessary towards developing a personal sense of Indigenous masculinity which aligned with their Indigenous identity. Upon successful negotiation of the relationship between Indigenous masculinity and HIV status, disclosure was used at various stages of the healing journey to affirm Indigenous masculinity, discover a personal sense of purpose, and to educate others. Conclusion: The use of disclosure was found to be a vital component towards the development and practice of Indigenous masculinity. The findings of this project will be used to apply for future grants to design a service or intervention which provides Indigenous men living with HIV with a safe and healthy environment to practice Indigenous masculinity. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

La prévalence et la persistance de la violence en contexte conjugal sont préoccupantes dans les communautés autochtones (Brassard et al., 2011, 2015). En effet, les hommes (54 %) et les femmes (61 %) autochtones sont plus susceptibles d’être victimes de violence en contexte conjugal que les allochtones (36 % et 44 %, respectivement) (Cotter, 2021). La présente étude vise à comprendre comment les hommes autochtones mettent fin à la violence en contexte conjugal. D’une part, l’objectif est d’explorer le sens donné à l’arrêt de la violence en contexte conjugal. D’autre part, l’étude s’intéresse aux récits et aux processus de bifurcation vers cet arrêt de la violence. Des entretiens qualitatifs ont été menés auprès de six hommes innus et innus-naskapis ayant vécu de la violence bidirectionnelle ou unidirectionnelle. Les résultats démontrent que la plupart des hommes identifient les contextes coloniaux, communautaires et familiaux comme des sources de la violence en contexte conjugal. L’intersection entre un contexte d’épuisement et de déstabilisation crée un environnement propice aux processus de bifurcation vers l’arrêt de la violence en contexte conjugal. Trois types de processus de bifurcation sont développés, mettant en évidence différentes conceptions de l’arrêt de la violence : 1) un processus « spontané, mais inachevé », 2) un processus « constant et efficient » et 3) un processus « mouvementé et abouti ». Ces processus impliquent des apprentissages sur le passé, la violence et la communauté pour développer une posture non-violente. Souvent accompagnés de diverses sources de soutien, les hommes résolvent les sources de la violence afin d’apaiser leurs souffrances et ainsi réagir différemment aux expériences éprouvantes. / The prevalence and persistence of violence within the conjugal context in Indigenous communities are concerning (Brassard et al., 2012, 2015). In fact, Indigenous men (54%) and women (61%) are more likely to be victims of violence within the conjugal context than non-Indigenous people (36% and 44%, respectively) (Cotter, 2021). This study aims to understand how Indigenous men end violence within the conjugal context. On the one hand, the objective is to explore the meaning given to ending violence within the conjugal context. On the other hand, the study focuses on the narratives and bifurcation processes towards ending violence. Qualitative interviews were conducted with six Innu and Innu-Naskapi men who had experienced bidirectional or unidirectional violence. Findings show that most men identify colonial, community, and family contexts as sources of violence within the conjugal context. The intersection between a context of exhaustion and destabilization creates an environment conducive to the bifurcation processes towards ending violence within the conjugal context. Three types of bifurcation processes are proposed, highlighting different conceptions of violence cessation: 1) a “spontaneous, but incomplete” process, 2) a “constant and efficient” process and 3) a “hectic and thorough” process. These processes involve learning about the past, violence and the community, in order to develop a non-violent posture. Often accompanied by various sources of support, men resolve the sources of violence to alleviate their suffering and thus react differently to distressing experiences.