Daniela Navia - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Daniela Navia

In this thesis I examine how settler colonialism shapes child welfare (dis)placements. I use the ... more In this thesis I examine how settler colonialism shapes child welfare (dis)placements. I use the term (dis)placement as a point of departure to understand the historical connection between the child welfare and residential school systems. Indigenous youth collaborators, who recently exited the child welfare system, contributed to this research through arts and storytelling. Their verbal and artistic testimonies attest to the degree that child welfare is part of larger historical and political processes including dispossession of land and resources, assimilation of Indigenous peoples, gendered violence, and violent indifference. I argue that youth resistance to dominant systems takes a distinct urban form and is a means of their survival that carries strong potential for change. This thesis highlights the value of a collaborative research praxis and contributes to broader debates on how Indigenous people experience colonialism and continuously create opportunities for transformation. iii Note on terminology Aboriginal is the constitutionally defined term in Canada for First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities (Constitution Act, 1982: section 35[2]). This term has been criticized on the grounds of its colonial origin (Pinto and Smiley, 2013) and as one that implies inferiority and otherness. I use the term Indigenous throughout this thesis as an inclusive and international term that describes communities and individuals who consider themselves to be related to civilizations that predate European colonization in the Americas, Pacific Islands, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Indigenous is a term that underscores the complexity of Indigenous identities beyond what has been officially defined in government data and supports self-determination (Pinto and Smiley, 2013). Individual youth quoted in this thesis also provide other terms for self-identification, such as Native, Aboriginal, and specific Nations and geographies, which I left unchanged. iv Acknowledgements I would like to first acknowledge the contributions from the 20 youth collaborators who shared their stories and produced art that became the foundation for this thesis. Without their presence, courage, hard work and creativity, this project would not have been possible. I would also like to thank the Urban Society for Aboriginal youth in Calgary-particularly Levi First Charger and Lee Anne Ireland for their support in engaging youth and the wider community in this discussion. Furthermore, I am grateful for the contributions of Dr. Rita Henderson, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, who helped establish this collaboration, acquire funding, and supported this project throughout. It was an honour and privilege to do this work with all of the collaborators. I would also like to acknowledge the support of The Alex Youth Health Centre and the Exit Outreach programs in Calgary, including staff Heather Henry, Shannon Jones, Patrick Stuhlsatz, and Danielle Crossman for their enthusiasm about this project and support with youth engagement. I extend my gratitude to Danene Lenstra, Dean Soenen, Madelyn MacDonald, Adam Flegel, and Bjorn Johannson, management staff from the Alex Youth Health Centre and Wood's Homes for facilitating access to potential youth collaborators. I thank Randy Bottle, Casey Eagle Speaker, and Clarence Wolfleg, the Indigenous elders who provided guidance at different points in this process. My appreciation is also extended to countless others who provided feedback, advice, and support during this undertaking, including Jordan Fischer, Deloria Many Grey Horses, Denise Daniels, and Michelle Robinson. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology and Dr. Saulesh Yessenova, my supervisor and mentor for their support, feedback, and ongoing faith in my abilities and potential. This project could not have been completed without generous funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network (UAKN), and the Voices Against Violence research group funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). I would like to thank all of those who collaborated with me in presentations and publications for this project and those who gave us opportunities to share this work (See appendices 4, 5, and 6). While this thesis has been a collaborative endeavour, I bear all responsibility for shortcomings of the written representations and analysis that follow. Dedication v This thesis, albeit a humble accomplishment, is dedicated to all of those who have been dispossessed of their rights to a dignified life by oppressive colonial systems. To those who remain unknowing of their true families, their true names, and their histories, and for those who are on a path to uncovering and resisting the legacy of ongoing pillage of Indigenous communities around the world. To our ancestors and the generations to come who provide us with the strength to keep fighting for a better existence for all. vi

In this thesis I examine how settler colonialism shapes child welfare (dis)placements. I use the ... more In this thesis I examine how settler colonialism shapes child welfare (dis)placements. I use the term (dis)placement as a point of departure to understand the historical connection between the child welfare and residential school systems. Indigenous youth collaborators, who recently exited the child welfare system, contributed to this research through arts and storytelling. Their verbal and artistic testimonies attest to the degree that child welfare is part of larger historical and political processes including dispossession of land and resources, assimilation of Indigenous peoples, gendered violence, and violent indifference. I argue that youth resistance to dominant systems takes a distinct urban form and is a means of their survival that carries strong potential for change. This thesis highlights the value of a collaborative research praxis and contributes to broader debates on how Indigenous people experience colonialism and continuously create opportunities for transformation. iii Note on terminology Aboriginal is the constitutionally defined term in Canada for First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities (Constitution Act, 1982: section 35[2]). This term has been criticized on the grounds of its colonial origin (Pinto and Smiley, 2013) and as one that implies inferiority and otherness. I use the term Indigenous throughout this thesis as an inclusive and international term that describes communities and individuals who consider themselves to be related to civilizations that predate European colonization in the Americas, Pacific Islands, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Indigenous is a term that underscores the complexity of Indigenous identities beyond what has been officially defined in government data and supports self-determination (Pinto and Smiley, 2013). Individual youth quoted in this thesis also provide other terms for self-identification, such as Native, Aboriginal, and specific Nations and geographies, which I left unchanged. iv Acknowledgements I would like to first acknowledge the contributions from the 20 youth collaborators who shared their stories and produced art that became the foundation for this thesis. Without their presence, courage, hard work and creativity, this project would not have been possible. I would also like to thank the Urban Society for Aboriginal youth in Calgary-particularly Levi First Charger and Lee Anne Ireland for their support in engaging youth and the wider community in this discussion. Furthermore, I am grateful for the contributions of Dr. Rita Henderson, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, who helped establish this collaboration, acquire funding, and supported this project throughout. It was an honour and privilege to do this work with all of the collaborators. I would also like to acknowledge the support of The Alex Youth Health Centre and the Exit Outreach programs in Calgary, including staff Heather Henry, Shannon Jones, Patrick Stuhlsatz, and Danielle Crossman for their enthusiasm about this project and support with youth engagement. I extend my gratitude to Danene Lenstra, Dean Soenen, Madelyn MacDonald, Adam Flegel, and Bjorn Johannson, management staff from the Alex Youth Health Centre and Wood's Homes for facilitating access to potential youth collaborators. I thank Randy Bottle, Casey Eagle Speaker, and Clarence Wolfleg, the Indigenous elders who provided guidance at different points in this process. My appreciation is also extended to countless others who provided feedback, advice, and support during this undertaking, including Jordan Fischer, Deloria Many Grey Horses, Denise Daniels, and Michelle Robinson. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology and Dr. Saulesh Yessenova, my supervisor and mentor for their support, feedback, and ongoing faith in my abilities and potential. This project could not have been completed without generous funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network (UAKN), and the Voices Against Violence research group funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). I would like to thank all of those who collaborated with me in presentations and publications for this project and those who gave us opportunities to share this work (See appendices 4, 5, and 6). While this thesis has been a collaborative endeavour, I bear all responsibility for shortcomings of the written representations and analysis that follow. Dedication v This thesis, albeit a humble accomplishment, is dedicated to all of those who have been dispossessed of their rights to a dignified life by oppressive colonial systems. To those who remain unknowing of their true families, their true names, and their histories, and for those who are on a path to uncovering and resisting the legacy of ongoing pillage of Indigenous communities around the world. To our ancestors and the generations to come who provide us with the strength to keep fighting for a better existence for all. vi