Decolonized spaces

A critical reflection of the recent call for papers by the National Aboriginal Health Organization permits a greater under- standing of what is encompassed in the title ‘from woundedness to resilience’. The philosophical basis behind the title reflects a Eurocentric perspective. It is this perspective that places limitations in the sharing of Aboriginal stories of failures and successes. A variety of Aboriginal authors nationally and internationally assist us in engaging in an iterative process in order to deconstruct, reflect, and reconstruct the call for papers. Seeking a decolonized and non-deficit framework facilitates an Aboriginal-centered process that allows the sharing of our urban health and healing stories.

This research seeks to demystify how Inuit youth experience living in Ottawa. Results reveal that, throughout their urban experiences, youth position themselves and negotiate their interactions according to their coexistence with the different elements of their environment. This relationship is constantly adjusting; it pushes them to alter their life in order to feel more comfortable in the city, develop their inner strengths and contribute to the collective effort in Ottawa. By creating comfort zones, finding Inuit spaces and exploring urban resources, the burden of balancing such different lifestyles is greatly mitigated. Inuit youth use their presence in the city to reorient their position within the Inuit world. By building self-confidence and developing skills which permit them to contribute to their community, they also develop leadership. These skills allow them to actively participate in the transformation of Inuit realities while living in Ottawa.