Parentalité du point de vue de mères innues et sécurisation culturelle en protection de la jeunesse : nin, nishutshisshiun, nitinniun mak nitauassimat

In Canada 52.2% of children in foster care age 0 to 14 are Indigenous, while Indigenous children represent only 7.7% of all children in the country (Statistics Canada, 2016). Compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, Indigenous mothers are more frequently reported to youth protection services (YP) and more often held responsible for neglecting their children (CIS-2008 ; Sinha, Ellenbogen and Trocmé, 2013). Colonial policies of dispossession, assimilation, institutionalized violence, precarious socio-economic conditions, and parental difficulties of addiction and psychological distress; account for some of these findings (TRCC, 2015; Sinha, Trocmé, Fallon et al., 2011). Furthermore, studies suggest that these trends persist and are exacerbated by differing perspectives between Indigenous mothers and YP institutions, regarding the foundational values, beliefs, and realities that underlie Indigenous parenthood (Cull 2006 ; Gosselin 2006 ; Veenstra and Keenan 2017). Despite the apparent difficulties which arise due to the differing perspectives regarding the cultural values, beliefs and realities surrounding Indigenous parenthood, few empirical studies have sought to hear the voices of the mothers in order to shed light on their points of view and better understand their experiences with the YP services (Bennett 2009 ; MacDonald 2002 ; Soumagnas 2015). In an effort to fill this gap, this qualitative study aims to understand the perspectives of parenthood held by Indigenous mothers and explore whether they consider that their perspectives are recognized and valued by child welfare services during times of intervention. This research favours a constructivist analytical framework and mobilizes Berger and Luckmann’s (2018) theories and Martin's Historical Action (2003a ; 2009). These theories allow for the understanding of participant’s experiences from their points of view and from their own social construction of reality. The implementation of the research is part of a narrative approach and an inductive and interpretive methodology that highlights the singular and subjective experience of the participants. As part of the study, a data collection phase was conducted in Fall 2016 with nine Innu mothers from the same community, of whom (at least) one child was apprehended. Semi-directed individual interviews, such as biographical narratives, were collected. A second phase of restitution and validation of the stories was completed in Fall 2017. Based on a comprehensive analyses (Kaufmann, 2004), the main finding of this study demonstrates that given respondent’s trajectories of adversity, parental realities, and their singular ways of conceiving their parental values, roles and responsibilities, YP should adapt to take Indigenous cultural perspectives into account. Furthermore, the study suggest that this acknowledgment would prioritize mother – child – family network ties and ensure cultural safety in services that better meet the needs of mothers. In regards to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC, 2015) ; investigation reports on Indigenous public relations (CERP, 2019) ; and the legislative reform plan for Indigenous children and family services, this study aims to give a voice to mothers, provide insight on how to « support an autonomous, child protection innu system » (Guay, Grammond et Vollant, 2019 : 1), and orientate community social workers.

Keyphrases: Indigenous parenting, Innu mothers, Trajectories and cultural anchorage, Identity resurgence, Transmissions, Biographical knowledges, Children and family well-being, Cultural safety in child welfare, Social work and intervention