This thesis presents the results of a qualitative research study that examined the resilience
development with six Anishinabe (Ojibway) women. This study examined from the women’s
perspectives, “What meaning(s) do First Nation graduates of secondary or post-secondary
education make about risk and/or protective factors that may have affected their success in
completing their degree/diploma requirements?” In this research, I closely examined the
historical accounts and progressive educational changes of six successful Anishinabe women
who attended either the residential, provincial or band operated schools. The narrative/storywork
voiced by the women was gathered by one in-depth interview and were analyzed in two parts.
First, the Western idea of resilience (Benard, 2004) was examined. Second, the development of
resilience utilizing Indigenous narrative/storywork (Archibald, 2008; Thomas, 2008; Wilson,
2008) and the cultural framework of the Medicine Wheel teachings (Bopp, Bopp, Brown, &
Lane, 1988; Medicine Wheel Evaluation Framework, 2012) was explored. The findings from
this thesis revealed that through protective factors and/or supports of their community,
environment, school, and family and restored Indigenous philosophy, maintained culture,
language, spirituality and traditional worldviews, a process of resilience emerged and/or was
developed and overpowered risk factors, challenges and/or adversities. The amalgamation of
findings supports what research suggests that Aboriginal people exist in two worlds, their world
and mainstream world (Fitznor, 2005). Co-existance, acceptance, and a balance of both worlds
are supports and fundamental keys to resiliency and educational success.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:MWU.1993/8763 |
| Date | 11 September 2012 |
| Creators | West, Colleen Sarah |
| Contributors | Fitznor, Laara (Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology), Wallin, Dawn (Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology) Morin, Francine (Curriculum, Teaching and Learning) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Detected Language | English |
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