Insights into the autoethnographical story through juxtaposing Indigenous, education, healthcare and ethical dimensions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18733/C39590

Abstract

Composing my autoethnographical story became a vast undertaking and an avenue to make known experiences of culture, health and family situated within a First Nation’s community. Unleashing the personal story within the cultural sociopolitical context in the autoethnographical form was realized to be a way to arouse genuine interest and to disrupt ingrained assumptions.  In this article, perspectives garnered through the experiences of crafting an autoethnography as a doctoral nursing student and seeking ethical approval are delineated and challenged. Additionally, the intricacies of the autoethnographical story are depicted in association with Indigenous storytelling, ontology and relationality to further illuminate the decolonizing potential and relevance to culturally safe methodologies. This account may contribute to the growing acceptance, understanding and utilization of autoethnography within academia and beyond.

Author Biography

Mary Smith, University of Victoria

Mary Smith is presently a PhD Nursing Student at the University of Victoria. She is also faculty at Queen's University for Nurse Practitioner Students in the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program. Mary has a background within a First Nation Community. In the past she has worked within a First Nation Community as a Community Health Nurse and Nurse Practitioner. Presently she is employed in Mental Health Care as a Nurse Practitioner. Research interests include Indigenous Health particulary in the area of renal health and organ donation, Nursing and Nurse Practitioner education.

Downloads

Published

2015-12-18

Issue

Section

Articles